US 8,620,343 B1Granted

Inexpensive position sensing device

AssigneeIpVenture, Inc.

InventorsChung Lau, Peter P. Tong, C. Douglass Thomas

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Inexpensive position sensing devices that allow widespread use and availability of position information are disclosed. One embodiment of the position-sensing device acquires, down converts and extracts raw position data from position signals. Then, the position-sensing device wirelessly transmits the raw position data to a position-computing device, which converts the raw position data into the position of the device. The position-computing device can also receive auxiliary information from auxiliary sensors, and perform analyzes based on the position and the auxiliary information. The position-computing device can re-transmit the position and auxiliary information to a remote site for further analysis and/or central storage. The remote site can also download information to the position-computing device. The position-computing device can also control an actuator to perform an operation.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A mobile apparatus being able to acquire information of a package, the apparatus comprising:

a wireless communication module with an antenna for receiving and transmitting signals at least via a cellular link;
a GPS module for acquiring position data;
an auxiliary sensor for acquiring auxiliary data by directly measuring at least an attribute of at least one of the package or an environment of the package;
an actuator;
and
a controller operatively connected to the wireless communication module, the GPS module, the actuator, and the auxiliary sensor,
wherein to acquire information of the package, the mobile apparatus is configured to be removably positioned inside or removably attached to the package,
wherein the controller is configured (i) to control acquisition of position data and auxiliary data, (ii) to cause the wireless communication module to wirelessly transmit information related to the position data and information related to the auxiliary data to a device, and (iii) to control the actuator to change at least the attribute of at least one of the package or an environment of the package,
wherein the mobile apparatus is a portable, handheld apparatus,
wherein the auxiliary data pertains to the package or an environment of the package,
wherein the package is configured to be provided in a container to transport the package,
wherein the auxiliary data pertains to a temperature around the package within the container, and
wherein the temperature around the package within the container can be changed by the actuator in view of the auxiliary data.

10 more elements

A computer implemented method comprising:

receiving, at least via a cellular link, information related to position data and auxiliary data from a portable, handheld mobile apparatus regarding a package,
the apparatus including a GPS module for acquiring the position data, a wireless communication module with an antenna for receiving and transmitting signals at least via the cellular link, an actuator, a controller, and an auxiliary sensor for acquiring the auxiliary data by directly measuring at least an attribute of at least one of the package or an environment of the package, wherein the controller is operatively connected to the wireless communication module, the GPS module, the actuator, and the auxiliary sensor;
the apparatus being configured to be removably positioned inside or removably attached to the package to acquire information regarding the package, and
the auxiliary data pertaining to the package or an environment of the package;
and
controlling, via the controller, (a) the actuator to change at least the attribute of at least one of the package or an environment of the package, (b) acquisition of position data and auxiliary data, and (c) the wireless communication module to wirelessly transmit information related to the position data and information related to the auxiliary data to a device,
wherein the package is configured to be provided in a container to transport the package, and
wherein the method further comprises:
determining an action at least based on the information related to the auxiliary data;
and
sending a signal, via a wireless network, to a device, based on the action determined, and receiving a response therefrom, which causes the attribute of the environment around the package in the container to change via the actuator.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/800,126Filed 4 May 2007 · continuation
Priority: 24 Apr 2002
Granted: 31 Dec 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G01S 19/09
Cooperating elements; Interaction or communication between different cooperating elements or between cooperating elements and receivers: providing…
H04W 88/06
Terminal devices: adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
G01S
Radio direction-finding
H04W
Wireless communication networks

Family

Application60/375,998Us provisional application · filed 24 Apr 2002
Application60/404,645Us provisional application · filed 19 Aug 2002
Application60/418,491Us provisional application · filed 15 Oct 2002
Application60/444,198Us provisional application · filed 30 Jan 2003
Application10/397,640Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Mar 2003
US 7,321,774 B1Parent of this continuation
US 8,620,343 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.