Data messaging in a communications network using a feature request
DC- US 6,240,295 B1
- Filed: 06/05/1998
- Issued: 05/29/2001
- Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1993
- Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for data messaging using a cellular telephone network by issuing a feature request, comprising:
- providing information on an item to be monitored;
generating a feature request having data digits that represent information on the item;
communicating the feature request using the cellular telephone network without opening a voice channel; and
receiving the feature request at a remote location to determine information on the item.
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Abstract
A messaging unit (16) equipped with a cellular transceiver (38) is attached to a mobile item (12) located within a communications network (10). The messaging unit (16) issues a feature request having data digits that represent information on the mobile item (12). The cellular transceiver (38) transmits the feature request using the network (10). The feature request is received at an MTSO (20) and then routed to a platform (24), a clearinghouse (22), or the platform (24) through the clearinghouse (22). The data digits are translated into information on the mobile item (12) and stored at the platform (24) or the clearinghouse (22) for access by a host (26).
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. A method for data messaging using a cellular telephone network by issuing a feature request, comprising:
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providing information on an item to be monitored;
generating a feature request having data digits that represent information on the item;
communicating the feature request using the cellular telephone network without opening a voice channel; and
receiving the feature request at a remote location to determine information on the item. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
receiving the feature request at a switch;
recognizing the feature request at the switch as a feature request for data messaging; and
communicating the feature request from the switch to the remote location upon recognition. -
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5. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature request comprises a feature request identification code that indicates data messaging and the step of communicating the feature request comprises:
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receiving the feature request at a switch;
recognizing the feature request identification code at the switch; and
communicating the feature request from the switch to the remote location upon recognition of the feature request identification code.
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6. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature request comprises a cellular transceiver identifier and the step of communicating the feature request comprises:
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receiving the feature request at a switch;
comparing the cellular transceiver identifier to a plurality of predetermined identifiers associated with data messaging; and
communicating the feature request from the switch to the remote location if the cellular transceiver identifier matches one of the predetermined identifiers associated with data messaging.
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7. The method of claims 1, wherein the feature request comprises a feature request identification code and a cellular transceiver identifier and the step of communicating the feature request comprises:
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receiving the feature request at a switch, and communicating the feature request from the switch to the remote location in response to the feature request identification code and the cellular transceiver identifier.
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8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving comprises:
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identifying a cellular transceiver that transmitted the feature request;
translating the data digits to determine information on the item; and
storing information on the item indexed by the cellular transceiver for access by a host operating external to the cellular telephone network.
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9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving comprises:
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identifying a cellular transceiver that transmitted the feature request;
translating the data digits to determine information on the item; and
storing information on the item in a time-stamped list of information received from the cellular transceiver for access by a host operating external to the cellular telephone network.
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10. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature request comprises an altered identifier of a cellular transceiver that reflects information obtained on the item.
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11. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature request comprises a star key followed by the data digits.
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12. A method for data messaging by issuing a feature request, comprising:
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generating information on an item using a sensor;
generating a feature request having data digits that represent information generated by the sensor;
communicating the feature request using the cellular telephone network without opening a voice channel;
receiving the feature request at a remote location;
translating the data digits to determine information generated by the sensor; and
storing information generated by the sensor for access by a host operating external to the cellular telephone network. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
receiving the feature request at a switch;
recognizing the feature request identification code at the switch; and
communicating the feature request from the switch to the remote location upon recognition of the feature request identification code. -
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15. The method of claim 12, wherein the feature request comprises a cellular transceiver identifier, and further comprising:
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receiving the feature request at a switch;
comparing the cellular transceiver identifier to a plurality of predetermined identifiers associated with data messaging; and
communicating the feature request from the switch to the remote location if the cellular transceiver identifier matches one of the predetermined identifiers associated with data messaging.
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16. The method of claim 12, wherein the feature request comprises a feature request identification code and a cellular transceiver identifier, and further comprising:
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receiving the feature request at a switch; and
communicating the feature request from the switch to the remote location in response to the feature request identification code and the cellular transceiver identifier.
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17. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of storing information generated by the sensor comprises storing information generated by the sensor in a time-stamped list of information received from the cellular transceiver.
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18. The method of claim 12, wherein the feature request comprises an altered identifier of a cellular transceiver that reflects information generated by the sensor.
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19. The method of claim 12, wherein the item is a vehicle and the sensor is coupled to the vehicle.
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20. The method of claim 12, wherein the feature request comprises a star key followed by the data digits.
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21. A system for data messaging using a cellular telephone network by issuing a feature request, comprising:
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a messaging unit operable to obtain information on an item, the messaging unit further operable to generate a feature request having data digits that represent information on the item, the messaging unit comprising a cellular transceiver operable to communicate the feature request using the cellular telephone network without opening a voice channel;
a remote location coupled to the cellular telephone network, the remote location operable to receive the feature request communicated by the messaging unit, the remote location further operable to translate the data digits to determine the information on the item, the remote location comprising a memory operable to store the information on the item; and
a host coupled to the remote location and operating external to the cellular telephone network, the host operable to access the information on the item stored at the remote location. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for data messaging using a cellular telephone network by issuing a feature request, comprising:
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a messaging unit having a sensor operable to generate information on an item, the messaging unit further operable to generate a feature request having data digits that represent information generated by the sensor, the messaging unit comprising a cellular transceiver operable to communicate the feature request using the cellular telephone network without opening a voice channel;
a switch coupled to the cellular telephone network, the switch operable to receive the feature request communicated by the messaging unit and to communicate the feature request to a remote location if the feature request indicates data messaging;
the remote location coupled to the cellular telephone network, the remote location operable to receive the feature request communicated by the switch, the remote location further operable to translate the data digits to determine information generated by the sensor, the remote location comprising a memory operable to store information generated by the sensor; and
a host coupled to the remote location and operating external to the cellular telephone network, the host operable to access information stored at the remote location. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
the feature request comprises a feature request identification code that indicates data messaging; and
the switch is operable to communicate the feature request to the remote location upon recognition of the feature request identification code. -
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32. The system of claim 30, wherein:
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the feature request comprises a cellular transceiver identifier associated with the cellular transceiver of the messaging unit; and
the switch has a memory operable to store a plurality of predetermined identifiers associated with data messaging, the switch further operable to communicate the feature request to the remote location upon matching the cellular transceiver identifier with one of the predetermined identifiers stored at the switch.
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33. The system of claim 30, wherein:
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the feature request comprises a feature request identification code and a cellular transceiver identifier associated with the cellular transceiver of the messaging unit; and
the switch is operable to communicate the feature request to the remote location in response to the feature request identification code and the cellular transceiver identifier.
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34. The system of claim 30, wherein the sensor comprises a positioning system operable to generate location information on the item.
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35. The system of claim 30, wherein the feature request comprises an altered identifier of the cellular transceiver that reflects information generated by the sensor.
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36. The system of claim 30, wherein the item is a vehicle and the sensor is coupled to the vehicle.
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37. The system of claim 30, wherein the feature request comprises a star key followed by the data digits.
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38. A messaging unit for data messaging using a cellular telephone network by issuing a feature request, comprising:
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a sensor operable to generate information;
a processor coupled to the sensor and operable to receive information generated by the sensor, the processor further operable to generate a feature request having data digits that represent information generated by the sensor; and
a cellular transceiver operable to communicate the feature request using the cellular telephone network without opening a voice channel. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method for communicating information using a cellular telephone network by issuing a feature request, the method comprising:
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generating information using a sensor;
generating a feature request having data digits that represent information generated by the sensor; and
communicating the feature request using a cellular transceiver coupled to the cellular telephone network without opening a voice channel. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A system for data messaging using a cellular telephone network by issuing a feature request, comprising:
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a messaging unit operable to automatically obtain information on an item, the messaging unit further operable to automatically generate a feature request having data digits that represent information on the item, the messaging unit comprising a cellular transceiver operable to communicate the feature request using the cellular telephone network without opening a voice channel;
a mobile telephone switching office coupled to the cellular telephone network, the switching office operable to receive the feature request communicated by the messaging unit, determine if the feature request is a feature request for data messaging, and communicate the feature request to a telecommunications platform if the feature request is a feature request for data messaging;
the telecommunications platform coupled to the cellular telephone network, the telecommunications platform operable to receive the feature request communicated by the switching office, communicate a validation request, receive a validation response, translate the data digits to determine the information on the item if the messaging unit is valid, and store the information in a memory; and
a host coupled to the telecommunications platform and operating external to the cellular telephone network, the host operable to access the translated information stored at the telecommunications platform. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
the telecommunications platform communicates the validation request to the messaging unit;
the messaging unit is further operable to receive the validation request, generate a validation response, and communicate the validation response to the telecommunications platform; and
the telecommunications platform is further operable to receive the validation response and to determine whether the messaging unit is valid based on the validation response. -
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50. The system of claim 48, further comprising a clearinghouse coupled to the cellular telephone network, the clearinghouse operable to receive the validation request from the telecommunications platform, determine whether the messaging unit is valid, and communicate the validation response to the telecommunications platform.
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51. The system of claim 50, wherein:
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the telecommunications platform is further operable to communicate a second validation request to the messaging unit;
the messaging unit is further operable to receive the second validation request, generate a second validation response, and communicate the second validation response to the telecommunications platform; and
the telecommunications platform is further operable to receive the second validation response and determine whether the messaging unit is valid based on the second validation response.
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52. The system of claim 48, wherein the feature request consists of a star key followed by the data digits.
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53. The system of claim 48, wherein the data digits do not alter the features provided by the cellular telephone network.
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54. The system of claim 48, wherein the messaging unit'"'"'s operations to automatically obtain information may be remotely configured from the host.
Specification
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Litigation Data
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Current AssigneeIron Oak Technologies LLC
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Original Assignee@Track Communications Incorporated
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InventorsKennedy, III, William C., Westerlage, Kenneth R., Hammer, Kenneth W.
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Primary Examiner(s)LEGREE, TRACY MICHELLE
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Application NumberUS09/092,620
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Time in Patent Office1,089 Days
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Field of Search455/456, 455/457, 455/414, 455/403, 455/422, 455/466, 455/550, 455/564, 340/988, 340/989, 340/992, 340/425.5, 340/431, 340/445, 340/447, 342/457, 342/357, 342/385-386, 342/388-389, 342/450
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US Class Current455/456.4
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CPC Class CodesG01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility m...G07C 5/008 communicating information t...G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of ...H04B 7/18558 Arrangements for managing c...H04L 67/12 specially adapted for propr...H04W 12/08 Access securityH04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of ...H04W 12/61 Time-dependentH04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximi...H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted ...H04W 4/02 Services making use of loca...H04W 4/029 Location-based management o...H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Annou...H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipmen...H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems,...Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling tec...Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specia...
