Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 1 of 30
`
`
`
`
`Exhibit B
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 2 of 30
`
`USO08032278B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Flick
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,032,278 B2
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`(54) VEHICLE TRACKING UNIT WITH
`DOWNLOADABLE CODES AND
`ASSOCATED METHODS
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................... 701/36,
`701/207 209; 340/500, 506, 515,531,533–534
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(75) Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick, Douglasville, GA
`(US)
`(73) Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C., Douglasville,
`GA (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 840 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(56)
`
`DE
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,223,844 A
`6/1993 Mansell et al. ............... 342.357
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`19607017 A1 * 8, 1997
`(Continued)
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 3, 2007
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2007/0279283 A1
`Dec. 6, 2007
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 11/076,259,
`filed on Mar. 9, 2005, now Pat, No. 7,720,597, which is
`a continuation of application No. 10/383,496, filed on
`Mar. 7, 2003, now Pat. No. 7,149,623, which is a
`continuation of application No. 09/859.972, filed on
`May 17, 2001, now Pat. No. 6,606,561.
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/264.811, filed on Jan.
`29, 2001, provisional application No. 60/258,005,
`filed on Dec. 22, 2000, provisional application No.
`60/251552, filed on Dec. 6, 2000, provisional
`application No. 60/252,125, filed on Nov. 20, 2000,
`provisional application No. 60/236,890, filed on Sep.
`29, 2000, provisional application No. 60/246,463,
`filed on Nov. 7, 2000, provisional application No.
`60/222,777, filed on Aug. 3, 2000, provisional
`application No. 60/205,178, filed on May 17, 2000.
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GOIC 2L/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............ 701/36; 701/33: 382/104; 382/988:
`455/575.9
`
`Intelligent Object-Tracking using Sensor Networks; Sridhar, P.;
`Madni, A.M.; Jamshidi. M.; Sensors Applications Symposium, 2007.
`SAS 07. IEEE: Feb. 6-8, 2007 pp. 1-5; Digital Object Identifier
`10.1109, SAS2007.374384.
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner — Cuong H Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Allen, Dyer, Doppelt,
`Milbrath & Gilchrist, PA.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A multi-vehicle compatible tracking unit is for a vehicle
`including a vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle.
`The vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position
`determining device, a wireless communications device, and a
`multi-vehicle compatible controller for cooperating with the
`vehicle position determining device and the wireless commu
`nications device to send vehicle position information. The
`multi-vehicle compatible controller may be coupled to the
`vehicle data bus for communication thereover with at least
`one vehicle device using at least one corresponding vehicle
`device code from among a plurality thereof for different
`vehicles. A downloading interface may be included for per
`mitting downloading of enabling data related to the at least
`one corresponding vehicle device code for use by the multi
`vehicle compatible controller.
`
`22 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`20
`
`5
`
`38
`
`43
`
`4.
`
`--"
`
`(a) "a /
`-(- - - SN 2 (7--r
`VEHICLETRACKING
`L
`40,
`!
`UNIT
`{
`
`PSTON
`
`EGGS
`
`-45/.
`
`:
`
`{
`{
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`51 (Lock
`52-
`7)
`|TES
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`
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`
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`
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`5||
`COMPATIBLE).
`
`S.
`
`55
`
`wiRELEs
`COMMUNICATIONS
`DEEE. --4
`ELLONTROL
`CHANNEL
`;
`Backup
`EY -
`REGISRON
`REDER
`IDATOR
`AUDIBEASUAL
`VEHICLE
`
`:
`
`{
`
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`2
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`{
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`)
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`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 3 of 30
`
`US 8,032.278 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,515,043 A
`5/1996 Berard et al. ................. 340.988
`5,635,693 A * 6/1997 Benson et al.
`340, 10.33
`5,654,688 A
`8, 1997 Flicket al. ..
`... 340/426
`5,719,551 A
`2, 1998 Flick ..................
`... 340/426
`5.940,007 A * 8/1999 Brinkmeyer et al. ... 340/825.69
`6,011,460 A
`1/2000 Flick ..................
`... 340/426
`6.253,064 B1* 6/2001 Monroe ......
`455/66.1
`6,611,755 B1* 8/2003 Coffee et al. ..
`... 701 (213
`6,628,233 B2 * 9/2003 Knockeart et al. ....... 342/357.31
`6,657,587 B1 * 12/2003 Mohan ...........
`342,357.75
`6,756,885 B1
`6, 2004 Flick ...........
`340/426.1
`6,859,831 B1* 2/2005 Gelvin et al.
`TO9,224
`6,888,495 B2 * 5/2005 Flick ........................ 342,357.O7
`7,015,830 B2 * 3/2006 Flick ............................. 340,989
`7,085,775 B2 * 8/2006 Short et al. ............................ 1f1
`7,149,623 B2 * 12/2006 Flick ............................. 7O1/2O7
`7,196,621 B2 * 3/2007 Kochis ..................... 340,539.13
`7,305,293 B2 * 12/2007 Flick ...........
`TO1/45
`7,308,341 B2 * 12/2007 Schofield et al. ................. TO1f1
`7,343,244 B2* 3/2008 Flick ........
`7O1/2O7
`7.366,892 B2 * 4/2008 Spaur et al.
`713,151
`7,502,687 B2* 3/2009 Flick ..............
`701,213
`7,526,367 B2 * 4/2009 Schofield et al. ................. TO1f1
`7,725,253 B2 * 5/2010 Foxlin ........................... 7O1/2O7
`7,734,392 B2* 6/2010 Schofield et al. ...
`... 701,36
`7,873,593 B2 *
`1/2011 Schofield et al. ................. TO1f1
`2002/0152053 A1* 10/2002 Roy et al. ...................... 7O2,185
`2002fO1887 O2 A1* 12, 2002 Short et al. .....
`TO9.220
`2004/0066330 A1* 4/2004 Knockeart et all
`342,357.07
`2004/0073440 A1* 4/2004 Garbers et al. .
`705/1
`2006/0173601 A1* 8, 2006 Bassiere et al.
`TO1/53
`2006, O187026 A1* 8, 2006 Kochis ........
`340,539.13
`2008/0051957 A1
`2/2008 Breed et al. ..................... TO1/36
`2008/0221752 A1* 9/2008 Jager et al. ...................... TO1/35
`2009, 0240397 A1* 9, 2009 Schofield et al.
`... 701,36
`2010/0010706 A1* 1/2010 Gormley ......................... 701.33
`2010/0222963 A1* 9, 2010 Schofield et al. ............... TO1/36
`2011/0029.196 A1
`2/2011 Escott ............................. TO1/36
`
`
`
`DE
`EP
`JP
`TW
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`19607017 C2 * 6, 2000
`725.377 A2 * 8, 1996
`3019952 B2 * 6, 2003
`275683. A * 5, 1996
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`ing directi
`fficient sl
`heduling based
`Ener
`gy encient sleep scneauling based on moving airections in
`target tracking sensor network; Bo Jiang, Kai Han; Ravindran, B.,
`Hyeonjoong Cho; Parallel and Distributed Processing, 2008. IPDPS
`2008. IEEE International Symposium on; Apr. 14-18, 2008 pp. 1-10;
`Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/IPDPS2008.4536330.*
`A self-organizing hybrid sensor System with distributed data fusion
`for intruder tracking and Surveillance; Palaniappan, R., Clarke, T.;
`Wahid, P.; Behdad, N.; Kincaid, P.; Antennas and Propagation Soci
`ety International Symposium, 2008. AP-S 2008. IEEE; Jul. 5-11,
`2008 pp. 1-4; Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/APS-2008.4619564.*
`SVATS: A Sensor-Network-Based Vehicle Anti-Theft System; Hui
`Song; Sencun Zhu: Guohong Cao; INFOCOM 2008. The 27th Con
`ference on Computer Communications. IEEE; Apr. 13-18, 2008 pp.
`2128-2136; Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/INFOCOM.2008.
`2.79.*
`Omega Research and Development, Inc., “GPS 2000”, distributed at
`Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV. Jan. 2001, pp. 1-4.*
`Security Challenges of Location-Aware Mobile Business; Tatly, E.I.:
`Stegemann, D.; Lucks, S.; Mobile Commerce and Services, 2005.
`WMCS 05. The Second IEEE International Workshop on; Jul. 19,
`2005 pp. 84-95; Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/WMCS.2005.23.*
`Motion tracking: no silver bullet, but a respectable arsenal; Welch,
`G.; Foxlin, E.; Computer Graphics and Applications, IEEE vol. 22.
`Issue 6, Nov.-Dec. 2002 pp. 24-38; Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/
`MCG.2002.1046626.
`Localization of ahead vehicles with on-board stereo cameras; Zanin,
`M.: Image Analysis and Processing, 2007. ICIAP 2007. 14th Inter
`national Conference on; Sep. 10-14, 2007 pp. 111-116; Digital
`Object Identifier 10.1109/ICIAP2007.4362766.*
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 4 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`US 8,032.278 B2
`
`08
`
`07
`
`HTDIHHA
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`-
`
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`
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`
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`
`| | | | | | |
`
`SZ
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 5 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 8,032.278 B2
`
`st 1
`
`20
`
`381 sat /
`43
`
`42
`
`?
`
`- 21
`
`-1/
`
`:
`
`:
`
`:
`
`47
`
`60
`47
`/
`:
`
`45
`
`44
`
`
`
`POSITION E
`
`(EG. GPS)
`
`cowlions
`MM
`DEVICE (EG.
`CELL CONTROL
`CHANNEL)
`
`54
`
`REGISTRATION
`
`REMINDER
`INDICATOR
`(AUDIBLE/VISUAL)
`
`VEHICLE
`SECURITY
`CONTROLLER
`
`
`
`40,
`
`VEHICLETRACKING
`UNIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`CLOCK
`
`MEMORY
`
`
`
`CPU
`
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`5
`52
`7
`
`TEST
`SW.
`
`
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`
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`53
`POLARITY
`COMPATIBLE)
`
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`w
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`LOCK
`ACTUATOR
`
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`
`
`
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`
`
`IGNITION
`SWITCH
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`STARTER
`INTERRUPT
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 6 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 8,032.278 B2
`
`*
`
`MONITORING
`STATION
`
`-
`
`TELNET
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`- IR
`
`INTERNET
`INTERFACE
`
`33
`
`34
`
`35
`
`36
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 7 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 8,032,278 B2
`
`GPS 100% ACTIVE
`LOGGINGLOCATION
`
`SYSTEM
`DISARMED
`3 SEC.
`YES
`DEACTIVATE
`SLEEP MODE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GPS 10% ACTIVE
`COMPARING TO LAS
`LOGGEDLOCATION
`BEFOREARMED
`
`
`
`SPEED
`
`YES
`
`START
`
`1. 80
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`ALERT
`"A" ON
`
`YES
`IGNITIO
`ON?
`
`NO
`
`SYSTEM
`ARMED
`
`
`
`
`
`E
`
`YES <>" -
`
`GRAY WIRE
`TRIGGERED
`
`YES
`MAIN PWE) N0
`OV
`YES
`
`TRANSMITALERT "A"
`TURN ON FLAG"A"
`
`
`
`
`
`START
`COMMAND 8
`
`
`
`RE I
`
`FIG.4
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 8 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 8,032.278 B2
`
`START
`
`ALERT "BNNO
`ON
`
`-(e)
`
`SLEEP MODES
`ACTIVATED
`NO
`E39
`YES
`poRYINGEdNO (A)
`GRAY WIR
`YES
`(C)
`FLAG "B"
`ACTIVATED1 YE
`NO
`
`
`
`YES
`
`GPS-2000
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`NO 1FLAG'B'
`ACTIVATED
`YES
`"B"
`DEACTIVATEFLAG
`
`FINISH
`
`
`
`
`
`2SECTIME
`"B" EXPRED
`NO
`NO-MAINNYES-11 SECTIMER
`POWER < 4W
`B"ACTIVATED
`
`
`
`(D)
`
`NO
`ADD TO
`COUNTER"B"
`
`
`
`ACTIVATE
`TIMER"B"
`
`YES
`ACTIVATE ALERT
`"A"
`
`ACTIVATEFLAG
`"A"
`
`ATEL
`
`RECORD THIS
`EVENT
`
`FIG 5A
`
`NO
`SETTIMER
`"B"TOO
`
`SET COUNTER
`"B"TOO
`
`COUNTER
`"B" >l
`YES
`ACT1. FLAG
`
`SETTIMER
`"B"TOO
`
`SET COUNTER
`"B"TOO
`TAsyAER
`RECORD THIS
`EVENT
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 9 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 8,032.278 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`SECTIMER
`"BB" EXPRED
`
`ADD TO
`COUNTER"B"
`
`RESET COUNTER
`IB." TO 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PRE-ACTIVATE
`1 SEC. TIMER"BB"
`
`
`
`FINISH
`
`FIG5B
`
`
`
`
`
`2 SEC. TIMER
`EXPRED
`
`TURN OFF 25
`SECTIMER
`
`
`
`2 SEC. TIMER
`EXPRED
`
`
`
`WOLTAGE SENSING
`TRIGGER
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 10 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 8,032.278 B2
`
`START
`
`- 84
`
`NO / ALERT
`-----
`"C" ON?
`
`s:
`
`YES
`
`ity)
`(sic)"
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`GPSSPEED \ NO
`> "C"
`
`
`
`ES Y
`
`ACTIVATE
`TIMER "C"
`
`RECORD
`SPEED
`
`NO / SPEED
`PREV. REC
`SPEED
`
`TIMER"C" \ YES
`=8
`NO
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SENDEMAIL (IF
`PROGRAMMED)
`INCLUDINGTOP
`SPEED, TOTAL OF
`TIMER"C", CURRENT
`LOCATION AND
`DIRECTION
`
`STOPTIMER"C"
`ANDSET TIMER
`t( TO 6
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 11 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 8,032,278 B2
`
`START
`
`NO / ALERT
`D" ON
`YES
`
`YES
`
`ALERT BY
`PASS ACTIVATED
`N O
`
`N O
`
`YES
`
`NO/ SYSTEM
`DISARMED
`YES
`
`NO/ 35E,
`TIMER
`ACTIVATED
`YES
`
`COUNTER V NO
`"D" > 5
`YES
`
`NO
`
`FLAG "D"
`ACTIVATED
`YES
`
`FIG.7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TURNFLAG
`"D" OFF
`
`SET TIMER
`"D" = 6
`
`SET COUNTER
`ID." = 8
`
`TRANSMIT
`ALERT "D"
`
`ACTIVATE
`FLAG "D"
`
`SET TIMER
`ID."
`
`SET COUNTER
`"D" = 0
`
`RECORD THIS
`EVENT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`START3
`SECTIMER
`
`N0/SRAWRE
`DET.POLARITY
`CHANGE
`YES
`
`ADD TO
`COUNTER "D"
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 12 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 8,032,278 B2
`
`-
`
`START
`
`NO
`
`ALERT
`E" ON
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`FLAG IE"
`ACTIVATED
`YES
`TIMER"E" \ NO
`ACTIVATED
`YES
`TIMER "E" WNO
`EXPRED
`YES
`
`SET TIMER
`"E" = 6
`
`
`
`
`TURNFLAG
`"E" OFF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SET TIMER
`"E" = 0
`
`TURN OFF
`FLAG E"
`
`ACTIVATE ALERT
`WARNING "E"
`
`RECORD THIS
`EVENT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FLAG "E" WYES
`ACTIVATED
`NO
`
`START OMIN.
`TIMER "E"
`
`
`
`FINISH
`
`FIG.8
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 13 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`US 8,032.278 B2
`
`u-87
`
`ACTIVATE TO
`MINTIMER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OMIN.
`TIMER
`ACTIVATED
`
`
`
`EXPIRED?
`E YES
`
`
`
`ACTIVATE ONE
`PIEZO BEEP
`
`NO
`ACTIVATE
`IGNITION
`
`GPSSIGNAL
`(WITHIN5 MINNNO
`DEBOUNCE)
`ACTIVE
`YES
`
`TURN OFF
`TIMER"F"
`
`RESET COUNTER
`En O
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NO
`
`ACTIVATE
`TIMER"F"
`
`
`
`
`
`ADD TO
`COUNTER"F"
`
`ACTIVATE
`ALERT"F"
`
`FIG 9
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 14 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`US 8,032,278 B2
`
`
`
`POSITION
`DETERMINING
`DEVICE
`(e.g.) GPS
`
`WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE
`
`DOWNLOADING
`INTERFACE
`
`-113
`
`
`
`
`
`WEHICLEDATABUS
`
`22
`
`VEHICLEDEVICES)
`(SECURITY, REMOTEKEYLESS
`ENTRY, ORREMOTESTART)
`FIGO
`
`12
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 15 of 30
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 8,032.278 B2
`
`14
`
`15
`
`DOWNLOADING
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`16
`
`DOWNLOADED
`CODES AND/OR
`PROGRAMMING
`
`
`
`DOWNLOADING INTERFACE
`(WIRELESS)
`IEEE
`
`WIRELESS
`RECEIVER
`
`132
`
`FIG II
`
`113
`
`WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`DOWNLOADING INTERFACE
`(WIRELESS)
`
`INTERFACE
`CIRCUITRY
`
`
`
`116
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`DOWNLOADED
`CODES AND/OR
`PROGRAMMING
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`DOWNLOADED
`CODES AND/OR
`PROGRAMMING
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`DOWNLOADINGINTERFACE
`(WIRED)
`INTERFACE
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`on
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`132"
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`FIG 73
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`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 16 of 30
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 4, 2011
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`Sheet 13 of 13
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`US 8,032.278 B2
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`50'
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`EEEEEEE
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`LTI-VE
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`ESTABLISHA CONNECTION BETWEEN
`ENGLCME" -52
`TRACKING UNIT AND THE
`DOWNLOADING DEVICE
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`f
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`
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`ESTABLISHA CONNECTION BETWEEN
`THE MULTI-VEHICLE COMPATIBLE
`TRACKING UNITAND THE
`DOWNLOADING DEVICE
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`
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`DOWNLOAD ENABLING DATA
`
`DOWNLOADENABLING DATA
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`TERMINATE CONNECTION
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`153'
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`TERMINATE CONNECTION
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`
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`INSTALL THE MULTI-VEHICLE
`COMPATIBLE TRACKING UNIT
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`-151'
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`56
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`TEST OPERATION
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`TEST OPERATION
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`FIG 74
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`FIG. 75
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`

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`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 17 of 30
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`US 8,032,278 B2
`
`1.
`VEHICLE TRACKING UNIT WITH
`DOWNLOADABLE CODES AND
`ASSOCATED METHODS
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 1 1/076.259 filed Mar. 9, 2005 now
`U.S. Pat. No. 7,720,597, which is a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 10/383,496 filed Mar. 7, 2003 now
`U.S. Pat. No. 7,149,623, which is a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 09/859,972 filed on May 17, 2001
`now U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,561 which, in turn, was based upon
`provisional patent application Ser. Nos. 60/264,811 filed on
`Jan. 29, 2001: 60/258,005, filed Dec. 22, 2000; 60/251552,
`filed Dec. 6, 2000; 60/252,125, filed Nov. 20, 2000; 60/236,
`890, filed Sep. 29, 2000; 60/246.463, filed Nov. 7, 2000;
`60/222,777, filed Aug. 3, 2000; and 60/205,178, filed May 17,
`2000, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated
`herein by reference.
`
`10
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`15
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to the field of vehicle devices,
`and, more particularly, to a tracking system for vehicles, and
`related methods.
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`25
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`Motor vehicles, such as passenger cars, trucks, busses, fleet
`vehicles, etc. are widely used and knowing the locations of
`such vehicles is often desired. For example, should a vehicle
`be stolen, it would be beneficial to know the vehicle's location
`so that authorities could be promptly and accurately directed
`to retrieve the vehicle. Indeed, the tracking system could plot
`the getaway path of the thief.
`For a company with hired drivers, it may be desirable to
`know the drivers whereabouts during the course of the day.
`Similarly, a rental car agency or other fleet operator, for
`example, may wish to know the whereabouts of its fleet of
`40
`vehicles.
`It may also be desirable to track the location of a vehicle as
`it is used throughout the course of a normal day. For parents
`of younger or older drivers, for example, knowledge of the
`vehicle's location may provide Some assurance that the driver
`is at designated locations and following a prescribed route.
`A number of patents disclose various systems and
`approaches to tracking vehicles. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
`5.223,844 discloses a tracking system including a control
`center and a mobile unit installed in the vehicle. The mobile
`unit may send security warnings to the command center via a
`wireless transceiver. Position information for the vehicle is
`determined using a GPS receiver at the vehicle.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,043 discloses a similar system which
`may send one or more preprogrammed telephone messages to
`a user when away from the vehicle. The user may remotely
`access location information or cause certain commands to be
`carried out by entering a personal identification number
`(PIN).
`The widespread availability and use of the Internet has
`prompted a number of vehicle tracking systems to also make
`use of the Internet. For example, TellEvoke, Inc. proposed
`such a system in combination with Clifford Electronics. The
`system was to provide notification, control and tracking ser
`vices via the telephone or the Internet. Users could be notified
`via phone, e-mail, or pager of events such as a car alarm being
`triggered. Users could control the vehicle remote devices via
`
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`phone, web, or PDA such as unlocking car doors. Addition
`ally, users could track TellEvoke-enabled vehicles on the
`Internet or via the telephone. An Internet map could be
`viewed by the user showing the actual and prior vehicle
`locations. TellEvoke offered its services via a centralized fully
`automated Network Operations Center. To reduce the com
`munications costs, it was proposed to use the control channel
`of the cellular telephone network.
`There are, of course, a number of vehicles which come
`from the manufacturer with some form of security system
`already installed. In addition, a number of vehicles are also
`equipped with aftermarket security systems. Many conven
`tional vehicle tracking units may not be readily installed in
`vehicles, particularly those vehicles already including a
`vehicle security system. In addition, complexity of installa
`tion may significantly increase the system costs.
`A number of patents disclose various security and control
`systems that address data bus interoperability. For example,
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,719.551, assigned to Omega Patents, LLC, the
`assignee of the present invention, discloses a vehicle security
`system for a vehicle including a data bus connecting a plural
`ity of vehicle devices. A signal enabling circuit enables the
`alarm controller to operate using a set of desired signals
`selected from a plurality of possible sets for different
`vehicles. U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,460, assigned to Omega Patents,
`LLC, discloses a similar system where the set of desired
`signals from the plurality of different sets of signals for dif
`ferent vehicles is obtained, such as by connection and com
`munication with a downloading device. Additionally, U.S.
`Pat. No. 6,756.885, also assigned to Omega Patents, LLC,
`discloses a multi-vehicle control system whereby a multi
`vehicle compatible controller stores a set of device codes for
`a given vehicle device for a plurality of different vehicles.
`Device codes are read from the data communications bus, and
`a match between a read device code and the stored device
`codes is determined to provide compatibility with different
`vehicles.
`Unfortunately, such advanced techniques for dealing with
`multiple device codes for a vehicle having a data communi
`cations bus have not yet been developed for vehicle tracking
`units.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an
`object of the present invention to provide a multi-vehicle
`compatible tracking unit which may be used to control oper
`able vehicle devices, and/or read information therefrom via
`the vehicle data communications bus and related methods.
`This and other objects, features, and advantages in accor
`dance with the present invention are provided by a multi
`vehicle compatible tracking unit for a vehicle comprising a
`vehicle data bus extending throughout the vehicle. The multi
`vehicle compatible tracking unit may include a vehicle posi
`tion determining device, a wireless communications device,
`and a multi-vehicle compatible controller for cooperating
`with the vehicle position determining device and the wireless
`communications device to send vehicle position information.
`The multi-vehicle compatible controller may be coupled to
`the vehicle data bus for communication thereover with at least
`one vehicle device. The at least one vehicle device may use at
`least one corresponding vehicle device code from among a
`plurality thereof for different vehicles. The tracking unit may
`also include a downloading interface for permitting down
`loading of enabling data related to the at least one correspond
`ing vehicle device code for use by the multi-vehicle compat
`ible controller. Accordingly, the multi-vehicle compatible
`
`

`

`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 18 of 30
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`US 8,032,278 B2
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`10
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`3
`tracking unit may be used to control operable vehicle devices,
`and/or read information therefrom via the vehicle data com
`munications bus.
`The downloading interface may comprise either a wired or
`wireless signal downloading interface. The wired signal
`downloading interface may comprise a connector for tempo
`rary connection to a downloading device, for example. The
`wireless signal downloading interface may include a wireless
`receiver for temporary connection to a downloading device.
`The wireless signal downloading interface may also be in the
`form of a connection to the wireless communications device
`used for sending position information. The downloading
`interface may also be for permitting downloading of at least
`one programming instruction for the multi-vehicle compat
`ible controller, in some embodiments.
`The corresponding at least one vehicle code may be for
`reading from the at least one vehicle device, and/or for writing
`to the at least one vehicle device. Further, the multi-vehicle
`compatible tracking unit may comprise a remote transmitter.
`At least one vehicle remote control function responsive to the
`remote transmitter may be performed by the multi-vehicle
`compatible controller. For example, the at least one vehicle
`remote control function may include at least one of a vehicle
`security function, a remote keyless entry function, and a
`remote engine starting function. Also, the wireless position
`determining device may comprise a Global Positioning Sys
`tem (GPS) receiver. A tracking unit may also include a com
`mon housing for its various components.
`A method aspect is for using a multi-vehicle compatible
`tracking unit for a vehicle comprising a vehicle data bus
`extending throughout the vehicle. The multi-vehicle compat
`ible tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining
`device, a wireless communications device, and a multi-ve
`hicle compatible controller for cooperating with the vehicle
`position determining device and the wireless communica
`tions device to send vehicle position information. The multi
`vehicle compatible controller may be coupled to the vehicle
`data bus for connection thereover with at least one vehicle
`device using at least one corresponding vehicle device code
`from among a plurality of thereof for different vehicles. The
`method may include downloading the enabling data related to
`at least one corresponding vehicle device code for use by the
`multi-vehicle compatible controller via a downloading inter
`face.
`
`4
`FIG. 9 is a flowchart for operation of the vehicle tracking
`system as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a GPS or cellular unit
`failure alert.
`FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a multi-vehicle
`compatible tracking unit in accordance with the invention.
`FIG.11 is a more detailed block diagram of an embodiment
`of the downloading interface as shown in FIG. 10.
`FIG. 12 is a more detailed block diagram of another
`embodiment of a downloading interface as shown in FIG. 10.
`FIG. 13 is a more detailed block diagram of yet another
`embodiment of the downloading interface as shown in FIG.
`10.
`FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a method in accordance
`with the invention.
`FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of a
`method in accordance with the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention will now be described more fully
`hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in
`which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.
`This invention may, however, be embodied in many different
`forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated
`embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are
`provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and com
`plete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those
`skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements through
`out, and prime notation and multiple prime notation are used
`to indicate similar elements in alternate embodiments.
`Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the vehicle tracking system 20 in
`accordance with the invention is now initially described. The
`vehicle system 20 illustratively includes a vehicle tracking
`unit 25 to be mounted in the vehicle 21 and a monitoring
`station 30 which is remote from the vehicle and which is
`typically in a fixed location. In the illustrated embodiment,
`the vehicle tracking unit 25 interfaces with various vehicle
`devices. Such as may include security sensors, door locks, etc.
`as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
`The vehicle tracking unit 25 is also illustratively connected
`to a separate vehicle security system 27 as may already be
`installed in the vehicle 21, from the factory or installed as an
`aftermarket product. Those of skill in the art will appreciate
`that in some embodiments of the vehicle tracking system 20
`a separate vehicle security system 27 may not be needed,
`and/or various features thereof can be readily incorporated in
`the vehicle tracking unit 25.
`The monitoring station 30 may typically service a number
`of subscribers 31. As shown perhaps best in FIG. 3, the
`monitoring station 30 may include a user interface. Such as
`the schematically illustrated telephone network interface 33
`and the internet interface 34 which are schematically coupled
`to a telephone 35, and a computer 36, respectively. Of course
`in other embodiments, other interfaces may be used and only
`one of the illustrated interfaces may be needed. Those of skill
`in the art will also recognize that messages may be sent to a
`Subscriber or user via preprogrammed Voice messages, e-mail
`messages, facsimile messages, pager alerts, etc. In addition
`commands or instructions from the Subscriber can also be
`input to the monitoring station 30 via the telephone network
`interface 33 and/or the internet interface 34, from the sub
`scribers telephone 35 or computer 36.
`The monitoring station 30 is illustratively connected to a
`cellular telephone tower 32 which, in turn, may communicate
`with the vehicle tracking unit 25 in some embodiments. Of
`course, in other embodiments other communications
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a vehicle tracking
`system in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the vehicle
`tracking unit as shown in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of the monitoring
`station as shown in FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart for operation of the vehicle tracking
`system as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a vehicle stolen alert.
`FIGS. 5A-5C are a flowchart for operation of the vehicle
`tracking system as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a vehicle
`alarm Sounding alert.
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart for operation of the vehicle tracking
`system as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a vehicle speeding
`alert.
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart for operation of the vehicle tracking
`system as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating an unauthorized trans
`mitter learned alert.
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart for operation of the vehicle tracking
`system as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a low battery alert.
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`Case 2:20-cv-01344-JRC Document 1-5 Filed 09/10/20 Page 19 of 30
`
`US 8,032,278 B2
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`5
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`an electrical system including the vehicle battery 61. Power
`ing of the vehicle tracking unit 25 is described in greater detail
`below.
`The vehicle 21 also includes a number of other components
`that may relate to vehicle tracking, security, and/or conve
`nience features provided by the vehicle tracking system 20.
`For example, the vehicle 21 may include one or more door
`lock actuators 62, an optional remote starting device 63, a
`starter interrupt device 66 and an alarm indicator 67. For
`example, the alarm indicator may be provided by a vehicle
`horn or vehicle siren, and/or flashing of the lights.
`The optional separate security system 27 illustratively
`includes a vehicle security controller 28 and a receiver 29
`connected thereto. As is conventional, the vehicle security
`system 27 may be switched between armed and disarmed
`modes, for example, by one or more uniquely coded remote
`transmitters 60. The vehicle security controller 28 may also
`be capable of learning a new uniquely coded remote trans
`mitter 60 as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The
`vehicle security controller 28 also illustratively is connected
`to the starter interrupt device 66 and the alarm indicator 67.
`For ease of explanation, a number of the features of the
`vehicle tracking system 20 are now described. The vehicle
`tracking system 20 includes a number of features that may
`simplify installation and maintenance. For example, as shown
`in FIG. 2, the vehicle tracking unit 25 may have a test switch
`71 connected to the controller 40.
`In normal operation, the controller 40 may be called upon
`to operate at least one vehicle device. Of course, the controller
`40 also cooperates with the wireless communications device
`44 and the vehicle position determining device 42 to deter
`mine and send vehicle position information to the monitoring
`station 30. Moreover, the controller 40 may be switchable to
`a test mode for test operation of the at least one vehicle device
`responsive to activation of the test switch 71.
`In some embodiments, the at least one vehicle device may
`be a plurality of vehicle devices that are tested by operation in
`sequence. For example, the at least one vehicle device may
`comprise at least one door lock actuator 62. The at least one
`vehicle device may also comprise the starter interrupt device
`66, or the engine remote starter 63 if remote starting is an
`implemented feature. The at least one vehicle device which is
`tested, may also be the alarm indicator 67. Accordingly, an
`installer, for example, can quickly check that the tracking unit
`has been properly installed.
`To further provide for ready determination of proper opera
`tion of the vehicle tracking unit 25, one or both of the position
`determining and wireless communications devices 42, 44
`may include associated indicators 43, 45 as mentioned briefly
`above, and which provide an indication relating to proper
`operation. Each indicator 43, 45 may indicate a mode of
`operation of the device, its proper operation, or a partial or
`complete failure of the device.
`Another aspect of the invention is that the controller 40
`may provide a selectable polarity for the at least one vehicle
`device based upon sensing there