(12) United States Patent
`Janky et a].
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,263,441 B1
`*Aug. 28, 2007
`
`US007263441B1
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`CONTROLLING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`
`
`
`(75) Inventors: Gregory T. Janky, Sammamish, WA _ - ~
`
`
`
`
`
`6,356,196 B1
`6,362,736 B1
`6,506,049 B2 *
`
`3/2002 Wong et a1.
`3/2002 Gehlot
`1/2003 Hanson ..................... .. 433/11
`
`,
`
`,
`
`
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`FDhck can . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . ..
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`6,657,587 B1 * 12/2003 Mohan
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`342/3571
`
`. . . . . .. 701/207
`6,658,349 B2 * 12/2003 Cline . . . . . . . .
`701/213
`6,801,853 B2* 10/2004 Workman .... ..
`6,804,602 B2* 10/2004 I
`t l. ............ .. 701/117
`2004/0034470 A1
`2/2004
`a
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2 373 086
`GB
`W0 WO 2004/017272
`
`9/2002
`2/2004
`
`(55553351215 .“g’rkmtan’ M?gan H111’
`
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`’ m‘ ergs mm’ Organ
`H111’ CA (Us)
`
`(73) Assigneei grimble1Nag’Ea(t[iJ0SI; Limited,
`unnyva e,
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USC' 1546)) by 46 days'
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`Clalmer'
`
`* Cited by examiner
`Primary ExamineriRichard M. Camby
`
`Aug‘ 18’ 2004
`
`(22) Flled:
`(51) Int CL
`(200601)
`G01C 21/26
`(52) us. Cl. .................... .. 701/213; 340/989; 701/208;
`701/207
`_
`_
`_
`(58) Fig/(g1 3clggssl?2cgglgnl427/gg72gz’
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`’ 34’2/3g7 O6 4 57f 4 5 5’ / 4 5 6 1 46 6’
`See a lication ?le for co'm ’1ete gearch hist'o’
`'
`pp
`p
`1y‘
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,650,770 A
`
`7/1997 Schlager et 31.
`
`The present invention is a method and system for controlling
`an electronic device. In one embodiment, a controller is
`coupled With a position determining component, and a
`motion detecling Componem' In one. embodiment’ the
`rdnotion deéectmg componentldetelclts mot1or111 of thgele'ctron?c
`ev1ce an generates a s1gna tot e contro er 1n 1cat1ngt e
`motion. The controller, in response to the signal, causes the
`position determining component to determine the geo
`graphic location of the electronic device. The geographic
`location is compared With a pre-de?ned Zone and, in
`response to the comparing, a command is generated for
`controlling the electronic device.
`
`26 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`lb O O
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`START
`
`I
`DETECTING THE MOTION OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING
`AN INITIATING DEVICE
`410
`
`II
`DETERMINING A GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF THE ELECTRONIC
`DEVICE IN RESPONSE TO DETECTING MOTION
`$29.
`
`I
`COMPARING THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION WITH A
`PRE-DEFINED ZONE
`92
`
`V
`GENERATING A COMMAND FOR CONTROLLING THE
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE IN RESPONSE TO THE COMPARING
`
`END
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`Page 1 of 15
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`SAMSUNG EX-1055
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`Sheet 1 of 5
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`US 7,263,441 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 28, 2007
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 28, 2007
`Aug.28, 2007
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`Sheet 2 0f 5
`Sheet 2 of 5
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`US 7,263,441 B1
`US 7,263,441 B1
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`SOc
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`yo0ze
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`FIG. 2
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`NI
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 28, 2007
`Aug. 28, 2007
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`Sheet 3 0f 5
`Sheet 3 of 5
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`US 7,263,441 B1
`US 7,263,441 B1
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`30
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`301
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`308
`308
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`S2
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`302
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`<—- 307
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`FIG. 3
`FIG. 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 28, 2007
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`Sheet 4 0f 5
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`US 7,263,441 B1
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`00
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`DETECTING THE MOTION OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING
`AN INITIATING DEVICE
`11g
`
`I
`
`DETERMINING A GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF THE ELECTRONIC
`DEVICE IN RESPONSE TO DETECTING MOTION
`$22
`
`I
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`COMPARING THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION WITH A
`PRE-DEFINED ZONE
`A3_Q
`
`I
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`GENERATING A COMMAND FOR CONTROLLING THE
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE IN RESPONSE TO THE COMPARING
`m
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`FIG. 4
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`Page 5 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 28,2007
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`Sheet 5 0r 5
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`US 7,263,441 B1
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`.01 D O
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`START
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`DETECTING MOVEMENT OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING
`A MOTION DETECTING COMPONENT COUPLED WITH THE
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`51g
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`1
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`INDICATING THE MOVEMENT TO A CONTROLLER
`m
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`l
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`GENERATING A COMMAND FOR CONTROLLING THE
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE IN RESPONSE TO THE INDICATING
`5_30_
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`FIG. 5
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`Page 6 of 15
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`

`US 7,263,441 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`CONTROLLING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`The present invention bene?ts from U.S.P.T.O. applica
`tion Ser. No. 10/222,532 ?led Aug. 15, 2002 now US. Pat.
`No. 6,801,853 titled A Portable Motion-Activated Position
`Reporting Device by Dennis Workman, assigned to the
`assignee of the present invention, and Which is hereby
`incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, now US.
`Pat. No. 7,050,907 and U.S.P.T.O. application Ser. No.
`10/3 92,995, ?led Mar. 19, 2003, titledA Method and System
`for Controlling an Electronic Device, by Janky et al.,
`assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and Which
`is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
`
`2
`refrain from using cellular telephones and laptop computers
`during takeolfs and landings because they can cause elec
`tromagnetic interference that can impair the operation of
`navigational and other instrumentation systems aboard air
`planes. Since July of 2001, the Pentagon has had a mora
`torium on the construction of additional Wireless commu
`nications netWorks, and bars connections to classi?ed
`netWorks or computers using devices that are not explicitly
`approved by the Department of Defense. This is to prevent
`the unintentional compromise of secure data and includes
`personal Wireless devices such as pagers, Personal Data
`Assistants (PDAs), and Wireless e-mail devices. As another
`example, many public facilities such as theaters and restau
`rants noW request that their patrons turn off their Wireless
`devices (e.g., cellular telephones and pagers) While on their
`premises.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Embodiments of the present invention are related to a
`device for determining and reporting the position of a person
`or object, and for providing control information.
`
`20
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Position reporting devices are frequently used to locate
`and report the position of a person or object. A typical
`position reporting device combines a navigation system such
`as the Global Positioning System (GPS) module With a
`mobile communications system such as a cellular modem to
`determine the position or geographic location of a person or
`asset being tracked and report their position to a tracking
`facility. Position reporting devices are used in a variety of
`systems in Which timely position information is required
`such as ?eet tracking and asset recovery systems.
`Fleet tracking systems alloW a user to monitor the position
`of a ship or vehicle carrying a position reporting device by
`sending a succession of position ?xes. The phrase “position
`?x” refers to a process of determining an unknoWn location
`using a ?xed reference point or points. For example, the
`course of a vehicle being tracked can be inferred using
`successive position ?xes sent by the position reporting
`device. In a similar manner it can be inferred that the vehicle
`is not moving When successive position ?xes report the same
`position. Fleet tracking systems are commonly used by
`delivery services for routing and dispatching of vehicles.
`Asset recovery systems report the position of stolen or
`missing property (e.g., a stolen car) to a service provider or
`to the police in order to facilitate recovering the property.
`HoWever, many potential users ?nd the cost of position
`reporting devices prohibitive compared to the value of the
`asset being tracked. Many position reporting devices have a
`manufacturing cost in the range of 9520045300 and a market
`price in the range of 9550045600. Thus, the use of position
`reporting devices has typically been limited to high value
`items such as cars or other vehicles.
`Another draWback associated With position reporting
`devices is the amount of poWer they consume. While battery
`poWered position reporting devices do exist, the amount of
`poWer they consume When turned on necessitates frequent
`battery changes in order to continue operating. This makes
`using position reporting devices inconvenient to some users
`in that they require an excessive amount of maintenance to
`continue operating.
`Recently, concerns have been communicated regarding
`the operation of various electronic devices in certain envi
`ronments. For example, airlines request that passengers
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`Accordingly, a need exists for a loW-cost portable position
`determining and/or reporting device Which is small enough
`to be easily concealed upon an asset Which is being tracked.
`While meeting the above need, a further need exists for a
`method for reducing the poWer consumption of the above
`stated device. Additionally, While meeting the above stated
`needs, it Would be advantageous to provide a device Which
`can trigger another electrical device to perform a particular
`task upon entering or leaving a designated location Zone.
`The present invention is a method and system for con
`trolling an electrical device. In one embodiment, a controller
`is coupled With a position determining component, a Wire
`less communications component, and a motion detecting
`component. In one embodiment, the motion detecting com
`ponent detects movement of the electronic device and gen
`erates a signal to the controller indicating the movement.
`The controller, in response to the signal, activates the
`position determining and/or reporting device to determine
`the geographic location of the electronic device. In one
`embodiment, the controller compares the geographic loca
`tion of the electronic device With a pre-de?ned Zone and
`generates a command for controlling the electronic device
`based upon the comparison.
`Embodiments of the present invention can be used to
`cause an electronic device to perform a particular task upon
`entering or leaving a designated Zone. For example, the
`present invention can be used to automatically inactivate the
`electronic device (e.g., a cellular telephone) When it is
`brought into a restricted area. This may include theaters,
`airports, hospitals, gas stations, or other areas Where oper
`ating the electronic device may cause, for example,
`unWanted electromagnetic interference With other equip
`ment in the area. A user can designate these areas to reduce
`the possibility of the user forgetting to shut doWn the device.
`In another embodiment, the user can accept a pre-packaged
`list of such exclusion Zones for automatic implementation of
`this shut-off feature.
`Similarly, the present invention can be used to cause an
`electronic device to perform a particular task When it is
`moved outside of a designated Zone. Thus, When a user
`leaves a theater, hospital, or airport, the present invention
`can cause the electronic device to be automatically activated.
`As an example, a user’s cellular telephone can be activated
`When the user moves outside of a theater.
`In another embodiment, the present invention can be used
`as a theft deterrent. For example, if a laptop computer is
`moved outside of a Zone designated by the oWner, the
`present invention may cause the computer to sound an
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`Page 7 of 15
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`US 7,263,441 B1
`
`3
`alarm, send a noti?cation to a security service provider, or
`contact the oWner of the computer (e.g., contacting the
`oWner via a pager, cellular phone, or e-mail message).
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying draWings, Which are incorporated in
`and form a part of this speci?cation, illustrate embodiments
`of the present invention and, together With the description,
`serve to explain the principles of the invention. Unless
`speci?cally noted, the draWings referred to in this descrip
`tion should be understood as not being draWn to scale.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary initiating
`component in accordance With embodiments of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of a position tracking system in
`accordance With embodiments of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a diagram shoWing the operating states of an
`initiating component utiliZed in accordance With embodi
`ments of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a How chart of a method for controlling an
`electronic device in accordance With embodiments of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a ?owchart of a method for controlling poWer
`consumption in an electronic device in accordance With
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
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`Reference Will noW be made in detail to embodiments of
`the present invention, examples of Which are illustrated in
`the accompanying draWings. While the present invention
`Will be described in conjunction With the folloWing embodi
`ments, it Will be understood that they are not intended to
`limit the present invention to these embodiments alone. On
`the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover
`alternatives, modi?cations, and equivalents Which may be
`included Within the spirit and scope of the present invention
`as de?ned by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the
`folloWing detailed description of the present invention,
`numerous speci?c details are set forth in order to provide a
`thorough understanding of the present invention. HoWever,
`embodiments of the present invention may be practiced
`Without these speci?c details. In other instances, Well-knoWn
`methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not
`been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure
`aspects of the present invention.
`Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a method
`and system for controlling an electronic device. Embodi
`ments of the present invention may be used to monitor the
`position of an electronic device and to generate commands
`for causing the device to automatically perform a designated
`action based upon its geographic location. Embodiments of
`the present invention can also be used to detect and report
`unauthorized movement of the electronic device and to
`assist in recovering it When unauthorized movement occurs.
`Embodiments of the present invention comprise an initi
`ating component disposed in an electronic device. The
`initiating component utiliZes a motion detecting component
`to detect movement of the electronic device and sends a
`signal to a controller. In response to receiving this signal, the
`controller initiates a position determining component to
`determine the geographic location of the electronic device.
`This extends the battery life of the electronic device because
`the initiating component draWs a minimal amount of poWer
`until movement of the device is detected. In one embodi
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`ment, the geographic location is compared With the coordi
`nates of a Zone of interest to the user. Depending upon What
`Zone the electronic device is in, the controller generates a
`command for causing the electronic device to perform a
`speci?c action.
`Embodiments of the present invention utiliZe a geo
`fencing system in Which a set of position coordinates are
`provided Which de?ne a pre-de?ned Zone. In embodiments
`of the present invention, upon entering or leaving a pre
`de?ned Zone, a command is generated for causing the
`electronic device to perform a particular task. For example,
`the present invention can be con?gured to automatically shut
`doWn the electronic device When a particular Zone is entered
`and to automatically activate the electronic device When that
`Zone is left. In another embodiment, the position coordinates
`de?ne a Zone in Which the asset can be moved Without
`triggering an alarm. When the electronic device is moved
`outside of that Zone, it sounds an audible alarm until
`inactivated. Alternatively, a Wireless message can be sent to
`a monitoring service that noti?es the oWner of the device
`and/or laW enforcement agencies in order to facilitate recov
`ering the electronic device.
`An example of a geo-fencing system is described in US.
`Pat. No. 5,751,245 titled Vehicle Route and Schedule Excep
`tion Reporting System by James Janky, Eric Klein, and John
`Schipper, assigned to Trimble Navigation Ltd. of Sunnyvale
`Calif., and incorporated as reference herein in its entirety.
`In FIG. 1, initiating component 100 comprises a processor
`101 coupled With an address/data bus 102. Processor 101 is
`for processing digital information and instructions and bus
`102 is for conveying digital information betWeen the various
`components of initiating component 100. Also coupled With
`bus 102 is a non-volatile read only memory (ROM) 103 for
`storing information and instructions of a more permanent
`nature volatile, and a random access memory (RAM) 104 for
`storing the digital information and instructions of a more
`volatile nature. In addition, initiating component 100 may
`optionally include a data storage device 105 for storing vast
`amounts of data.
`In embodiments of the present invention, data storage
`device 105 may comprise a removable storage medium such
`as a smart card or an optical data storage device. Altema
`tively, data storage device 105 may comprise a program
`mable data storage device such as a ?ash memory device to
`facilitate quickly updating data. It should be noted that
`instructions for processor 101 as Well as position coordinates
`Which de?ne a pre-de?ned Zone can be stored either in
`volatile memory 104, data storage device 105, or in an
`external storage device (not shoWn). Similarly, previously
`determined geographic locations of initiating component
`100, previously sampled GPS signals can be stored either in
`volatile memory 104, data storage device 105, or in an
`external storage device. Con?guration data for determining
`What action should be initiated depending upon the current
`time and/ or location of initiating component 100 can also be
`stored either in volatile memory 104, data storage device
`105, or in an external storage device.
`Initiating component further comprises a motion detector
`106 coupled With bus 102 for detecting changes in the
`motion state of initiating component 100. In one embodi
`ment, motion detector 106 detects the vibration associated
`With the movement of initiating component 100 and indi
`cates this movement to processor 101 When changes in the
`vibration of initiating component 100 are detected. In other
`embodiments of the present invention, motion detector 106
`may be an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, a rotation sensor,
`a gyroscope, etc. HoWever, While the present embodiment
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`US 7,263,441 B1
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`5
`recites these particular implementations of motion detector
`106, the present invention is Well suited to utilize a variety
`of devices for detecting movement of initiating component
`100 and for indicating this movement to processor 101. In
`accordance With embodiments of the present invention,
`motion detector 106 detects When initiating component 100
`transitions from a substantially stationary state to a moving
`state. Motion detector 106 can also detect When initiating
`component 100 transitions from a moving state to a sub
`stantially stationary state and/or changes in the rate of
`movement of initiating component 100. Thus, in embodi
`ments of the present invention, motion detector 106 detects
`changes in the state of motion of initiating component 100
`such as starting or stopping of motion, as Well as accelera
`tion/deceleration and generates an interrupt to processor
`101. In response to these changes in motion, an interrupt is
`generated by motion detector 106. In response to an interrupt
`from motion detector 106, processor 101 changes the oper
`ating state of initiating component 100 from an idle oper
`ating state, in Which a feW components of initiating com
`ponent 100 (e.g., Wireless communications component 107
`and position determining component 110) draW a minimal
`amount of poWer, to an active operating state in Which these
`initiating component draW additional poWer.
`Returning to FIG. 1, a Wireless communications compo
`nent 107, comprising a Wireless modem 108 and a Wireless
`antenna 109, is coupled With bus 102. A position determin
`ing component 110, comprising a GPS receiver 111 and a
`GPS antenna 112, is coupled With bus 102.
`Wireless communications component 107 is for transmit
`ting and receiving Wireless messages (e.g., data and/or
`commands). In one embodiment, Wireless communications
`component 107 is comprised of a cellular Wireless antenna
`109 and a cellular Wireless modem 108. In one embodiment,
`initiating component 100 sends and receives messages using
`the Short Message Service (SMS). HoWever, the present
`invention is Well suited to utiliZe other message formats as
`Well. In other embodiments of the present invention, Wire
`less communications component 107 may comprise a Blue
`tooth Wireless communications device, or another Wireless
`communications device such as a Wi-Fi transceiver. Wi-Fi
`transceivers are often used to create local area netWorks
`betWeen a portable computer and an Internet access point in
`public areas such as airports, coffee shops, libraries, and the
`like.
`Position determining system 110 is for determining the
`location initiating component 100. In embodiments of the
`present invention, position determining component 110
`comprises a GPS antenna 112 and a GPS receiver 111.
`HoWever, While the present embodiment speci?cally recites
`a GPS position determining system, embodiments of the
`present invention are Well suited to utiliZe a variety of
`terrestrial-based and satellite-based position determining
`systems as Well.
`In FIG. 1, a control element 113 is coupled With bus 102
`and is for generating a control signal via control interface
`114 depending upon the current time and/or location of
`initiating component 100.
`Devices Which are optionally coupled to initiating com
`ponent 100 include a display device 116 for displaying
`information to a use. Display device 116 may be a liquid
`crystal device, cathode ray tube, a ?eld emission display, or
`other display device suitable for creating graphic images and
`alpha-numeric characters recogniZable to a user. Auser input
`device 115 may also be coupled With bus 102 in embodi
`ments of the present invention. In embodiments of the
`present invention, user input device 115 may comprise a
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`keyboard, and a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse, track
`ball, light pen, touch pad, joystick etc.), for inputting data,
`selections, updates, and controlling initiating component
`100. Initiating component 100 may optionally include a
`battery 117 for providing poWer for initiating component
`100. While the present embodiment recites a battery poW
`ered device, the present invention is Well suited to be
`electrically coupled With the device it is controlling and for
`draWing poWer from that device. For example, if initiating
`component 100 is disposed Within a laptop computer, it may
`draW poWer from the laptop computer itself.
`In embodiments of the present invention, components of
`initiating component 100 may be disposed upon a printed
`circuit board 120 such as a Personal Computer Memory
`Card Industry Association (PCMCIA) card, etc. This alloWs
`embodiments of the present invention to be used in a variety
`of electronic devices such as cellular telephones, laptop
`computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), automotive
`electrical systems, and the like. HoWever, in other imple
`mentations of the present invention, initiating component
`100 may be a stand alone device that is used to control
`another device. For example, initiating component 100 may
`be installed in an automobile and used to initiate an action
`depending upon the location of the automobile. Thus, the
`components comprising initiating component 100 may be
`disposed Within a housing.
`It is appreciated that some of the components recited in
`the above discussion may be omitted in embodiments of the
`present invention. For example, When initiating component
`is disposed Within a laptop computer, or a PDA, display
`device 116 and user input device 115 may be redundant and
`therefore omitted to reduce the cost of initiating component
`100. In other implementations of the present invention,
`initiating component 100 may be disposed in an electronic
`device already having a Wireless communications capability
`(e.g., a cellular telephone). Thus, Wireless communications
`component 107 may be omitted embodiments of the present
`invention in order to reduce the cost of initiating component
`100. Additionally, control element 113 may be omitted in
`embodiments of the present invention. For example, a
`control signal may be generated by processor 101 via control
`interface 114 for controlling an electronic device.
`In embodiments of the present invention, When motion
`detector 106 detects movement of initiating component 100,
`it generates an interrupt signal to processor 101. In response
`to the interrupt signal, processor 101 activates other com
`ponents of initiating component 100 such as Wireless com
`munications component 107 and position determining com
`ponent 110. The geographic location of initiating component
`100 is then determined using position determining compo
`nent 110. Processor 101 compares the present geographic
`location With geographic coordinates that de?ne a pre
`de?ned Zone. The coordinates of the pre-de?ned Zone may
`reside in RAM 104 or in storage device 105. Based upon this
`comparison, processor 101 causes control element 113 to
`generate a command for controlling the electronic device in
`Which initiating component 100 resides.
`Alternatively, processor 101 may generate the command
`for controlling the electronic device itself. For example,
`initiating component 100 may be con?gured to generate a
`command causing the electronic device to become inacti
`vated When it enters a restricted Zone such as an theater, or
`the gangWay leading from the departure lounge to the
`aircraft While boarding. Since the unit is programmed to
`operate autonomously to perform this shutdoWn function, it
`Will Work for items Which are stored in luggage as Well,
`performing another valuable service by ceasing battery drain
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`US 7,263,441 B1
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`7
`While located in an unusable space. When the electronic
`device moves outside of the restricted Zone, processor 101
`may generate a signal causing the electronic device to
`become activated again. This is a great convenience to users
`Who may forget to turn olf their electronic devices When they
`enter a restricted area or to turn them back on When they
`leave the restricted area.
`In embodiments of the present invention, storage device
`105 stores a database of geographic coordinates Which can
`de?ne a plurality of pre-de?ned Zones and associated com
`mands that are to be generated by processor 101 depending
`upon Whether the electronic device is inside of or outside of
`a pre-de?ned Zone. Additionally, the geographic coordinates
`can de?ne a route or plurality of routes. If the electronic
`device deviates from a speci?ed route processor 101 can
`generate commands to the electronic device. For example,
`processor 101 can cause the electronic device to sound an
`alarm or other noise as a theft deterrent if the device is
`removed from a speci?ed Zone. Alternatively, processor 101
`can initiate sending a message via Wireless communications
`device 103 notifying the oWner of the electronic device that
`it has left a speci?ed Zone, or notify police or other agencies.
`Additionally, processor 101 can initiate continuous location
`updates to assist in recovering the electronic device if it has
`been stolen.
`The geographic location or route information used to
`determine What action should be initiated by the present
`invention may further be modi?ed using temporal informa
`tion. For example, if initiating component is disposed Within
`an automobile, time parameters may be used in conjunction
`With location parameters to determine What action should be
`initiated by the present invention. Thus, a user could des
`ignate his or her typical route used When commuting to Work
`and the hours When the automobile is permitted to be Within
`that route. If the automobile is stolen, even if it is at a
`geographic location Within the pre-de?ned boundaries of the
`commuting route, initiating component 100 may generate a
`control signal because it is at that location at the Wrong time
`of the day.
`Initiating component 100 may initiate generating a mes
`sage conveying that the automobile has been stolen as
`described above, or may in some manner disable the auto
`mobile to prevent further movement of the automobile. For
`example, initiating component 100 may be coupled With the
`ignition system or the computer of the automobile. After
`determining that unauthorized movement of the automobile
`has occurred, initiating component 100 may generate a
`control signal to disable the automobile’s engine the next
`time motion detector 106 determines that the car has stopped
`moving. This is so that initiating component 100 does not
`disable the automobile, for example, in the middle of a
`highWay Which may endanger other commuters. An initiat
`ing device lacking the motion detector of the present inven
`tion Would not be able to perform in this manner, and may
`provide a less ?exible or responsive solution to some
`situations addressed by the present invention.
`Utilizing a motion detector With a position determining
`device is seemingly counter-intuitive or at least redundant in
`the current position reporting environment Which relies upon
`successive position ?xes to imply movement of the reporting
`device. For example, receiving a series of position reports
`Which come from different locations implies that the initi
`ating device is in motion. Alternatively, receiving a series of
`position reports Which come from the same location implies
`that the initiating device is stationary. Therefore, it Was
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`considered redundant to incorporate a motion-detecting
`component into a device Which already had an implied
`function of detecting motion.
`HoWever, providing initiating component 100 With
`motion detector 106 is advantageous because it reduces the
`amount of time that components of initiating component 100
`are activated in order to determine a geographic location and
`thus extends the battery life of the electronic device With
`Which initiating component 100 is coupled. In prior art
`initiating devices, determining Whether the device Was mov
`ing or stationary depended upon determining and comparing
`successive position ?xes. If successive position ?xes Were
`from the same location, it Was inferred that the device Was
`stationary. If successive position ?xes Were from different
`locations, it Was inferred that the device Was in motion.
`These position ?xes had to be provided at a regular interval
`in order to provide timely noti?cation that the device Was
`being moved. HoWever, providing successive position ?xes
`for a device Which has not moved is an unnecessary drain of
`battery poWer, especially When the device remains stationary
`for extended periods of time. This in turn is burdensome to
`users of the device Who are required to frequently replace the
`batteries of the electronic device in Which initiating com
`ponent 100 is disposed or to couple the electronic device to
`an external poWer source.
`In embodiments of the present invention, storage device
`105 may also store previously determined geographic posi
`tions of initiating component 100 and/ or previously sampled
`GPS signals. This aids signal acquisition in environments
`Where a clear path to the satellites is either partially or totally
`obscured, as inside a building. In some GPS implementa
`tions, previously sampled GPS signals are used to more
`rapidly determine the current location of a GPS receiver and
`improve its sensitivity during loW signal-to-noise ratio con
`ditions.
`One such system is described in Us. Pat. No. 6,289,041
`titled Fast Acquisition, High Sensitivity GPS Receiver by
`Norman P. Krasner, assigned to SnapTrack Inc, of San Jose,
`Calif., and incorporated as reference herein in its entirety. In
`this patent, Krasner describes a system in Which a currently
`sampled GPS signal is accumulated With a previously
`sampled GPS signal in order to improve