METHOD TO PROVIDE AD HOC AND PASSWORD PROTECTED DIGITAL AND VOICE NETWORKS

US 20150264167A1
Filed: 10/31/2014
Published: 09/17/2015
Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

transmitting a map to each one of a plurality of devices wherein the devices are each configured to display the map;

based on passage of a predetermined time interval, a displacement of at least one of the devices by a predetermined distance, or both, receiving from the at least one device information comprising a location of the at least one device and transmitting the location of the at least one device to one or more other devices;

transmitting to each of the other devices information comprising a symbol corresponding to the location on the map of each of the one or more devices; and

receiving from a one or more of the devices information indicating user selection of at least one of the displayed symbols corresponding to one or more other devices.

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Abstract

A method and system includes the ability for individuals to set up an ad hoc digital and voice network easily and rapidly to allow users to coordinate their activities by eliminating the need for pre-entry of data into a web or identifying others by name, phone numbers or email. This method is especially useful for police, fire fighters, military, first responders or other emergency situations for coordinating different organizations at the scene of a disaster to elevate conventional communication problems either up and down the chain of command or cross communication between different emergency units. The method and system provides that the users are only required to enter a specific Server IP address and an ad hoc event name, a password and perhaps the name of the particular unit.

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63 Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- transmitting a map to each one of a plurality of devices wherein the devices are each configured to display the map;
  
  based on passage of a predetermined time interval, a displacement of at least one of the devices by a predetermined distance, or both, receiving from the at least one device information comprising a location of the at least one device and transmitting the location of the at least one device to one or more other devices;
  
  transmitting to each of the other devices information comprising a symbol corresponding to the location on the map of each of the one or more devices; and
  
  receiving from a one or more of the devices information indicating user selection of at least one of the displayed symbols corresponding to one or more other devices.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 59)
- - 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreceiving from one or more of the devices information comprising the respective contact information for the device;
    - andfacilitating communication between the one or more devices using the received contact information.
  - 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the communication is a phone call, a short message service message, a voice message, a text message, an electronic mail message, an image, or a video.
  - 4. The method of claim 2 wherein particular contact information is a phone number or an Internet Protocol address.
  - 5. The method of claim 1 wherein at the devices are part of a same group within a user-specified geographic area.
  - 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the group is a friends or family group.
  - 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
    - performed by one of the devices;
      
      receiving user selection of the symbol on the map;
      
      obtaining contact information associated with the symbol; and
      
      performing an action using the contact information wherein the action is initiating a phone call, transferring data, sending an electronic mail message, or opening a web page.
  - 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the symbol represents a facility or a person'"'"'s home.
  - 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the device is a smart phone, a personal data assistant, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or a laptop computer.
  - 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
    - receiving a request for the map from one or more of the devices wherein the request comprises one or more parameters and wherein a parameter specifies a map location or a zoom indication; and
      
      sending the map to the one or more devices.
  - 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the devices do not have access to a phone number or an Internet Protocol address of any other of the devices.
  - 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first map is an aerial photograph, a satellite image, or a chart.
  - 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
    - receiving from one or more devices information corresponding to the location of fixed entities, said fixed entities comprising buildings, facilities, restaurants, or emergency locations; and
      
      transmitting to all other of the devices the information corresponding to the location of the fixed entities.
  - 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
    - receiving from one or more devices information corresponding to the location of events; and
      
      transmitting to all other of the devices the information corresponding to the location of the events.
  - 59. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the location to one or more other devices comprises pushing the location to the one or more other devices.

15. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- sending a respective first map to each one of a plurality of devices wherein the device is configured to display the first map;
  
  based on passage of a predetermined time interval, a displacement of at least one of the devices by a predetermined distance, or both, receiving from the at least one device information comprising a location of the at least one device and sending the location of the at least one device to one or more other devices, wherein each of the other devices is configured to display a respective symbol representing the location on the first map;
  
  receiving from a first device information indicating user selection of one or more of the displayed symbols corresponding to second devices and, based thereon;
  
  obtaining a respective contact information for each of the second devices; and
  
  facilitating a respective communication between the first device and each of the second devices using the contact information of the second device.
- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 60)
- - 16. The method of claim 15 wherein a particular communication is a phone call, a short message service message, a voice message, a text message, an electronic mail message, an image, or a video.
  - 17. The method of claim 15 wherein first device and the second devices are part of a same group or within a user-specified geographic area.
  - 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the group is a friends or family group.
  - 19. The method of claim 15 wherein particular contact information is a phone number or an Internet Protocol address.
  - 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
    - performed by one of the devices;
      
      receiving user selection of a symbol on the first map;
      
      obtaining contact information associated with the symbol; and
      
      performing an action using the contact information wherein the action is initiating a phone call, transferring data, sending an electronic mail message, or opening a web page.
  - 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the symbol represents a facility or a person'"'"'s home.
  - 22. The method of claim 15 wherein a particular device is a smart phone, a personal data assistant, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or a laptop computer.
  - 23. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
    - receiving a request for a map from a third device wherein the request comprises one or more parameters and wherein a parameter specifies a map location or a zoom indication;
      
      obtaining a second map that conforms to the attributes; and
      
      sending the second map to the third device.
  - 24. The method of claim 15 wherein the first device does not have access to the phone numbers or Internet Protocol addresses of the second devices.
  - 25. The method of claim 15 wherein the first map is an aerial photograph, a satellite image, or a chart.
  - 60. The method of claim 15, wherein transmitting the location to one or more other devices comprises pushing the location to the one or more other devices.

26. A system comprising:
- one or more computers programmed to perform operations comprising;
  
  sending a respective first map to each one of a plurality of devices wherein the device is configured to display the first map;
  
  based on passage of a predetermined time interval, a displacement of at least one of the devices by a predetermined distance, or both, receiving from the at least one device information comprising a location of the at least one device and sending the location of the at least one device to one or more other devices, wherein each of the other devices is configured to display a respective symbol representing the location on the first map;
  
  receiving from a first device information indicating user selection of one or more of the displayed symbols corresponding to second devices and, based thereon;
  
  obtaining a respective contact information for each of the second devices; and
  
  facilitating a respective communication between the first device and each of the second devices using the contact information of the second device.
- View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 61)
- - 27. The system of claim 26 wherein a particular communication is a phone call, a short message service message, a voice message, a text message, an electronic mail message, an image, or a video.
  - 28. The system of claim 26 wherein first device and the second devices are part of a same group or within a user-specified geographic area.
  - 29. The system of claim 26 wherein the group is a friends or family group.
  - 30. The system of claim 26 wherein particular contact information is a phone number or an Internet Protocol address.
  - 31. The system of claim 26, wherein the operations further comprise:
    - performed by one of the devices;
      
      receiving user selection of a symbol on the first map;
      
      obtaining contact information associated with the symbol; and
      
      performing an action using the contact information wherein the action is initiating a phone call, transferring data, sending an electronic mail message, or opening a web page.
  - 32. The system of claim 31 wherein the symbol represents a facility or a person'"'"'s home.
  - 33. The system of claim 26 wherein a particular device is a smart phone, a personal data assistant, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or a laptop computer.
  - 34. The system of claim 26, wherein the operations further comprise:
    - receiving a request for a map from a third device wherein the request comprises one or more parameters and wherein a parameter specifies a map location or a zoom indication;
      
      obtaining a second map that conforms to the attributes; and
      
      sending the second map to the third device.
  - 35. The system of claim 26 wherein the first device does not have access to the phone numbers or Internet Protocol addresses of the second devices.
  - 36. The system of claim 26 wherein the first map is an aerial photograph, a satellite image, or a chart.
  - 61. The system of claim 26, wherein transmitting the location to one or more other devices comprises pushing the location to the one or more other devices.

37. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- receiving user selection of a group of one or more users on an interactive display of a first device wherein each user is associated with a respective second device;
  
  obtaining a respective location and contact information for of each of the second devices;
  
  presenting an interactive map on the display comprising one or more user-selectable symbols wherein each symbol corresponds to one of the second devices and is positioned on the map at a location corresponding to the respective location of the second device;
  
  identifying user interaction with the display specifying an action and, based thereon, initiating a communication with the second devices.
- View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 62)
- - 38. The method of claim 37 wherein a particular communication is a phone call, a short message service message, a voice message, a text message, an electronic mail message, an image, or a video.
  - 39. The method of claim 37 wherein the group of users is within a user-specified distance from a current location of the first device.
  - 40. The method of claim 37 wherein each user is associated with a same category.
  - 41. The method of claim 37, wherein receiving user selection of the group of one or more users on the interactive display comprises identifying user interaction with the interactive map via the display, the user interaction comprising selecting the one or more users by selecting one or more symbols corresponding to the one or more users on the interactive map.
  - 42. The method of claim 37, further comprising:
    - identifying user interaction with the display specifying a new symbol and a location of the new symbol;
      
      presenting the new symbol on the map at the specified location; and
      
      sending the new symbol and the location to the second devices wherein each of the second devices is configured to present the new symbol on an interactive map at the specified location.
  - 43. The method of claim 37, further comprising:
    - identifying user interaction with the display specifying a symbol to be deleted;
      
      removing the selected symbol from the presentation of the map; and
      
      sending information identifying the selected symbol to the second devices wherein each of the second devices is configured to remove the selected symbol from a presentation of an interactive map.
  - 44. The method of claim 37, further comprising:
    - identifying user interaction with the display selecting a new symbol and associating the new symbol with content wherein the content is an image, text, a voice recording, a video, an electronic mail address, or a Uniform Resource Locator; and
      
      sending the content to the second devices wherein each of the second devices is configured to associate the content with the new symbol.
  - 45. The method of claim 37, wherein a particular device is a smart phone, a personal data assistant, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or a laptop computer.
  - 46. The method of claim 37, further comprising:
    - presenting an alert when one of the second devices is within a user-specified distance of the first device.
  - 47. The method of claim 37, further comprising:
    - presenting an alert when a current location of the first device is within a user-specified distance of a facility.
  - 62. The method of claim 37, wherein initiating the communication with the second devices comprises transmitting a text message to at least one IP address corresponding to at least one of the second devices.

48. A system comprising:
- one or more computers programmed to perform operations comprising;
  
  receiving user selection of a group of one or more users on an interactive display of a first device wherein each user is associated with a respective second device;
  
  obtaining a respective location and contact information for of each of the second devices;
  
  presenting an interactive map on the display comprising one or more user-selectable symbols wherein each symbol corresponds to one of the second devices and is positioned on the map at a location corresponding to the respective location of the second device;
  
  identifying user interaction with the display specifying an action and, based thereon, initiating a communication with the second devices.
- View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 63)
- - 49. The system of claim 48 wherein a particular communication is a phone call, a short message service message, a voice message, a text message, an electronic mail message, an image, or a video.
  - 50. The system of claim 48 wherein the group of users is within a user-specified distance from a current location of the first device.
  - 51. The system of claim 48 wherein each user is associated with a same category.
  - 52. The system of claim 48, wherein receiving user selection of the group of one or more users on the interactive display comprises identifying user interaction with the interactive map via the display, the user interaction comprising selecting the one or more users by selecting one or more symbols corresponding to the one or more users on the interactive map.
  - 53. The system of claim 48, wherein the operations further comprise:
    - identifying user interaction with the display specifying a new symbol and a location of the new symbol;
      
      presenting the new symbol on the map at the specified location; and
      
      sending the new symbol and the location to the second devices wherein each of the second devices is configured to present the new symbol on an interactive map at the specified location.
  - 54. The system of claim 48, wherein the operations further comprise:
    - identifying user interaction with the display specifying a symbol to be deleted;
      
      removing the selected symbol from the presentation of the map; and
      
      sending information identifying the selected symbol to the second devices wherein each of the second devices is configured to remove the selected symbol from a presentation of an interactive map.
  - 55. The system of claim 48, wherein the operations further comprise:
    - identifying user interaction with the display selecting a new symbol and associating the new symbol with content wherein the content is an image, text, a voice recording, a video, an electronic mail address, or a Uniform Resource Locator; and
      
      sending the content to the second devices wherein each of the second devices is configured to associate the content with the new symbol.
  - 56. The system of claim 48 wherein a particular device is a smart phone, a personal data assistant, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or a laptop computer.
  - 57. The system of claim 48, wherein the operations further comprise:
    - presenting an alert when one of the second devices is within a user-specified distance of the first device.
  - 58. The system of claim 48, wherein the operations further comprise:
    - presenting an alert when a current location of the first device is within a user-specified distance of a facility.
  - 63. The system of claim 48, wherein initiating the communication with the second devices comprises transmitting a text message to at least one IP address corresponding to at least one of the second devices.

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Current Assignee
AGIS Software Development LLC (AGIS Holdings Inc.)
Original Assignee
Advanced Ground Information Systems, Inc. (AGIS Holdings Inc.)
Inventors
Beyer, Malcolm K. Jr., Blackwell, Sandel, Rice, Christopher R.

Granted Patent

US 9,467,838 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

1/1
CPC Class Codes

G01S 19/17   Emergency applications

G06F 3/0482   Interaction with lists of s...

G06F 3/04842   Selection of displayed obje...

H04L 2101/65   Telephone numbers

H04L 61/5007   Internet protocol [IP] addr...

H04L 63/065   for group communications cr...

H04L 63/083   using passwords cryptograph...

H04L 63/104   Grouping of entities

H04L 67/52   specially adapted for the l...

H04M 1/27475   using interactive graphical...

H04M 1/724   User interfaces specially a...

H04M 1/72406   by software upgrading or do...

H04M 1/72418   for supporting emergency se...

H04M 1/7243   with interactive means for ...

H04M 1/72457   according to geographic loc...

H04M 1/72469   for operating the device by...

H04M 2250/10   including a GPS signal rece...

H04M 2250/22   including a touch pad, a to...

H04M 2250/62   user interface aspects of c...

H04M 3/56   Arrangements for connecting...

H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/IS...

H04W 4/02 : Services making use of loca...

H04W 4/021 : Services related to particu...

H04W 4/029 : Location-based management o...

H04W 4/08 : User group management

H04W 4/10 : Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-...

H04W 4/14 : Short messaging services, e...

H04W 4/90 : Services for handling of em...

H04W 64/00 : Locating users or terminals...

H04W 68/00 : User notification, e.g. ale...

H04W 68/04 : multi-step notification usi...

H04W 76/11 : Allocation or use of connec...

H04W 76/15 : Setup of multiple wireless ...

H04W 76/45 : for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or P...

H04W 76/50 : for emergency connections

H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems,...

H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e...

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METHOD TO PROVIDE AD HOC AND PASSWORD PROTECTED DIGITAL AND VOICE NETWORKS

First Claim

3 Assignments

0 Petitions

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Abstract

16 Citations

63 Claims

Specification

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METHOD TO PROVIDE AD HOC AND PASSWORD PROTECTED DIGITAL AND VOICE NETWORKS

First Claim

3 Assignments

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

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Abstract

16 Citations

63 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

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