US 5,966,093 A · Single button-multiple command position and status control system and method therefor

Abstract

The status command and communication device has a single user actuatable control input which is configured as a switch. The switch has a first and a second output state and the system monitors the switch and generates a first, second, and third status commands based upon the detection of first, second and third predetermined sequential switch output states. Based upon the status commands, the command and communication device generates a position signal based upon GPS position locating signals. The device further transmits the position signal and the status commands to a central station which, in turn, generates responsive communications to the device. Other passive input devices are included in the command and communication device (e.g., microphone) as well as an on/off switch. The device also includes, in a preferred embodiment, audio outputs and visual outputs for the user. The method includes monitoring switch output states, generating status commands based upon a plurality of detected, predetermined, timed and sequential switch output states, capturing the GPS position locating signals and transmitting a position signal and the status commands from the device dependent upon the status commands.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A status command and communication device having a single user actuatable control input operating in conjunction with a global position satellite system generating GPS position locating signals and a central control station located at a site remote from said device, said central control station adapted to receive status and position signals from said device and to transmit responsive communications to said device, the status command and communication device comprising:

a switch, having a first and a second switch output state, adapted to be actuated by a user;
said switch being the sole, exclusive user actuatable control input for selecting status commands for said status command and communication device;
a small-sized housing onto which is mounted said switch;
means for generating a position signal, disposed in said housing, based upon said GPS position locating signals from said global position satellite system;
switch monitoring means coupled to said switch for detecting and generating first, second and third status commands based upon corresponding first, second and third predetermined, sequential, time based switch output states;
and,
means for transmitting said position signal and said status commands from said housing to said central control station, said means for transmitting coupled to said means for generating said position signal and said switch monitoring means.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Single button-multiple command position and status control system and method therefor

Life of this patent

Single button-multiple command position and status control system and method therefor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15