NovelPoint Tracking LLC v. Apple Inc

Filing 1

COMPLAINT against Apple Inc ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 0540-3868986.), filed by NovelPoint Tracking LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Appendix)(Upshaw, Everett)

111111

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US006442485B2

United States Patent

(10)

Evans

(12)

(45)

(54)

Inventor:

Wayne W. Evans, 16218 Henderson
Rd., Alpharetta, GA (US) 30004

( *)

Notice:

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.c. 154(b) by 0 days.

5,929,752
5,938,718
6,055,426
6,133,853
6,173,232
6,266,617

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN
AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LOCATION,
COLLISION NOTIFICATION, AND
SYNTHETIC VOICE

(76)

Patent No.:
US 6,442,485 B2
Date of Patent:
*Aug. 27, 2002

A
A
A
A
B1
B1

*
*
*
*
*
*

7/1999
8/1999
4/2000
10/2000
1/2001
7/2001

Janky et al. ................
Morimoto et al. ..........
Beasley et al. .............
Obradovich et al. ........
Nanba et al. ...............
Evans ........................

340/426
701/201
455/432
340/905
701/209
701/301

* cited by examiner

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Primary Examiner-Gertrude Arthur
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Patent Focus, Inc.; Richard
C. McComas
ABSTRACT

(57)
(21)

Appl. No.: 09/911,255

(22)

Filed:

J ul. 23, 2001
Related U.S. Application Data

(62)
(60)
(51)
(52)

(58)

Division of application No. 09/593,044, filed on Jun. 12,
2000, now Pat. No. 6,266,617.
Provisional application No. 60/138,469, filed on Jun. 10,
1999.

Int. CI? ............................ G06F 17/10; G06G 7/78
U.S. CI. ....................... 701/301; 701/207; 701/209;
701/211; 701/213; 701/214; 340/436; 340/991;
342/357.01; 342/357.09
Field of Search ................................. 701/200, 207,
701/209,211,213,214,215,220,300,
301; 340/436, 438, 991, 995; 342/357.01,
357.06, 357.09, 357.12, 357.13; 455/3.1,
404

(56)

References Cited

An automatic system for vehicle location, collision
notification, and synthetic voice communication. A program
stored in a controller's memory has a plurality of data
structures formulated into instruction modules and at least
one navigational location record. A Global Positioning Module receives data from an associated Global Positioning
System and translates the received data into the vehicle's
present navigational position. An Automatic Speed Controlled Location Detection Module in communication with
the Global Positioning Module dynamically searches the
memory for a match between the vehicle's present navigational position and the navigational location record. The
Automatic Speed Controlled Collision Detection Module in
communication with the Automatic Speed Controlled Location Detection Module formulates the match between the
vehicle's navigational position and the navigational location
record into a collision event. A Data to Speech Translation
Module in communication with the Automatic Speed Controlled Collision Detection Module translates the collision
event into a synthetic voice.

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,629,693 A

* 5/1997 Janky ......................... 340/988

27 Claims, 25 Drawing Sheets

/
11

Automatic Speed
Controlled Collision
Detection Module
Automatic Speed
Controlled
Location Detection
Module

13

Data to
Speech
Translator
Module

10

13

Fig.1A

d

12

14

~

15

11

Global
Positioning
Module

•
rJl
•
~
.....
.....
~

Automatic Speed
Controlled Collision
Detection Module
Automatic Speed
Controlled
Location Detection
Module
13

=

17

19

>

Data to
Speech
Translation
Module

Public Telephone
Switching System

=

~
N

~-..J

N

c
c

N

16
Existing
Wireless
Voice
Communications
System

\
\

'JJ.

=-

~
~

.....
N

....,

0

N

Ul

e
rJ'l
0'1

'l.
~

N

'l.
00

Fig. 1 B

(I)

~
N

d

•
rJl
•

22

11

23

Automatic
Speed
Controlled
Collision
Detection
Module

Command,
Control &
Timing
Module

Receive
Command
Tone
Decoder
Module

~

~

.....
.....

28

~

=
>

=

~
N

GPS
Data to
Base Code
Translator
Module

~-..J

Longitude,
Latitude,
Speed, Time
& Direction
Detection
Module

N
C

c

Data to
Speech
Translation
Module

N

Voice
'JJ.

=-

~
~

.....

~

....,

0

25

Fig. 2

Real Time
Dynamic
Scanning
DataBase
Module

Automatic
Speed
Controlled
Location
Detection
Module

13

User Interface Module

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

N

Ul

Tone
Generator
and
Automatic
Dialer
Module

29

e
rJ'l
0'1

'l.
~

N

'l.
00
(I)

27

~
N

d

GPS Data

30

•
rJl
•

23

~

/

~

.....
.....
~

=

RS-232 to TTL Communications Translator

31

GPS Data NMEA/RMC Protocol Line Decoder
command,~
Control &
Timing

Power

~

32

Automatic Translator Error Detection &
Correction

~ to
Base Code
Longitude, Latitude, Speed, Time & Direction Detectors

Fig. 3

33

¥

24

d

•
rJl
•
~

Base
Code

Longitude, Latitude Base Code Decoder
& Ascii/Binary Format Translator

Longitude
Latitude

34

~
.....
.....
~

=
>

=

~

Power

Speed Base Code Decoder & Nautical to
Linear Surface Miles Format Translator

Speed in
MPH

35

N

~-..J

N

c
c

N

'JJ.

=-

Time Base Code Decoder & Universal Time
to US Time Format Translator

US Time
24hr

~
~

.....

Ul
0

....,
N

Ul

36

Command,
Control &
Timing

Di rection of Travel Base Code Decoder &
Oeg/Min/Sec to Degrees Format Translator

Fig. 4

Direction of
Travel in
Degrees &
45 Degree
Partitions

e
rJ'l
0'1

'l.
~

N

'l.
00
(I)

~
N

u.s. Patent

Yes

From
Main GPS
Program

US 6,442,485 B2

Sheet 6 of 25

Aug. 27, 2002

92
I

No

MaxSpeed
= Speed

00

99

Collision Threshold = SF· 1/(MaxSpeed +1) 14--...1
Return to
Main GPS
Program

101
SpeedDiff = SpeedOld - Speed New

103
No

Acceleration
or Speed = 0

MaxSpeedDiff
= SpeedDiff

Store All Data for Synthetic ..._ _ _~
Voice Retrieval

No----

Yes

....- - N o

..

Yes

To Collision
Reporting
Modules

Fig. 5

Receive
Command
Outputs

Command & Operating System

40

System
Command,
Control &
Timing
Inputs

22
Operating System Program

39

Power

c:;>

/'

d

•
rJl
•
~

~
.....
.....
~

=
>

=

~
N

~-..J

N
C
C
N

'JJ.

=-

~
~

.....

Memory Partition & Control System

-..J

....,

0

N

Ul

38
GPS Time

GPS Controlled System Timer

Fig.6

37

d

•
rJl
•

41

Speed Differential Detector &
Limit Generator

42

Time

Acceleration/Deceleration
& Collision Threshold Generator

43

Direction
of Travel

Rapid Directional Change Detector

Speed

Dynamic
Scanning
DataBase

Data to
Speech
Encoder

Nearest Location Detector

44
Command,
Control &
timing

Power

Fig. 7

d

52

•
rJl
•

Dynamic Location Record &
File Min.lMax. Range Limit Generators
3

Dynamic File Name Generator using
Real Time Longitude, Latitude compared
to Scanned File Min./Max. Range Limits

Longitude
& Latitude

Power

c;>

Command, ,.....1\.
Control & ~
Timing

Location
Comparator

Dynamic Location Record
Scanner
55

Up I Down Directional Scan Controller
for File Min./Max Range Limit Generator
& Location Record Generator

Fig. 8

u.s. Patent

Sheet 10 of 25

Aug. 27, 2002

US 6,442,485 B2

Load the Raw Data Lat (Latitude) and
Long (Longitude) of each Street Intersection

V- 56

J,
Order the Loaded Data by
Descending Lat and Ascending Long

57

J,
II

Partition the Ordered Data into "X number of
separate files each having "N" records where
N depends upon the Speed of the Processor
used

V- 58

J,
For each X file, Determine the Min. Lat Value
(Latmin) I Max. Lat Value (LatMax)
and the Min. Long Value (Longmin) I
Max. Long Value (Longmax) for all
N Records in that file

r- 59

J,
Attach the Min. and Max. Values to the end of
each file and Assign each file an Ascending
Numeric File Name

r- 60

J,
Partitioned and Ordered Location Database
To the Automatic Vehicle Collision and
Location Voice Reporting Program

Fig. 9

V- 61

d

•
rJl
•

65

Scanned
Locations

Redundant Location Filter

Data to
Speech
Encoder

~

~

.....
.....
~

=
>

Longitude
& Latitude
DataSpeak
Scanned
Locations

Real Time Longitude & Latitude to Expanded
Range, Scanned Location Comparator

=

~

64

N

13

/

~-..J

N
C
C
N

'JJ.

63

=-

~
~

.....

'""'"

Scanned Location Range Expander

'""'
....,"

0

N

command,~
Control &
Timing

Speed

Ul

Speed to Record Detector Range (R)
Converter

power~

62

e
rJ'l
0'1

'l.
~

N

'l.
00

Fig. 10A

(I)

~
N

u.s. Patent
Initial
Range R=.1
= .01 Deg
= 264 Feet

62""

Aug. 27, 2002

Minimum UrbanI
City
BaseSpeed
= 30 mph

66

US 6,442,485 B2

Sheet 12 of 25

67
K= 10

Lax =
DataBase
Intersection
Latitude

68

Lox =
DataBase
Intersection
Longitude

70

Lat=
GPS Data
Latitude

75
No

Speed - BaseSpeed = 0

Yes

R = .01 [ K + (Speed-BaseS peed) 1
Yes

74

Yes

115
Yes

78
Yes

Valid
Intersection Location
Informalon sent to
the Memory

Yes

The New GPS Location
is within Range R of
the DataBase
Intersection Location
Yes

Fig.10B

77

d

127

•
rJl
•
~

47
From
Command,
Control &
Timing

~
.....
.....
~

=

Function Indicator Lamps

>

=

~
N

~-..J

N

46

c
c

N

Switch to Indicator Feedback
'JJ.

=-

~
~

.....

'""'"

~

To
Command,
Control &
Timing
Power

....,

0

Manual Local Input Command
Switches

45

N

Ul

e
rJ'l

~

0'1

'l.
~

N

Fig.11

'l.
00
(I)

~
N

d

•
rJl
•

Power
(Multiple
Voltages)

Voltage Distribution Panel

50
Output Voltage Ripple/Noise Filters

Multiple Voltage Regulators

48

Input Voltage Noise Filter

Fig.12

.....
.....
~

=
>

=

~
N

~-..J

N
C
C
N

49

Vehicle Battery/
Regulator Power
System

127

~

~

d

Wireless
Voice
Com.
Module

Final Speech Filter
82

Output
Data

Power

81

Output Data to Phoneme Speech Translator
Processor and Memory

c:::>

command,~
Control &~

80
Phoneme Library

79

Translator Timer

Timing

Fig. 13

•
rJl
•

Power

c:::>

86
Tone Decoder Timer

Fig. 14

d

Wireless Voice
Com. Module
(On/Off Hook)

On/Off Hook Contoller

•
rJl
•
~

~
.....
.....
~

=

90

Command,
Control &
Timing

Wireless Voice
Com. Module
(Voice Channel)

Dual Tone Selector
89

88

Dual Tone Generator

I

>

=

~
N

~-..J

N

c

C
N

29
'JJ.

=-

~
~

.....

'""'"

-..J

....,

0

N

Ul

Power

c;>

87

Dual Tone Encoder Timer

Fig.15

d

10

•
rJl
•

I
110

Positioning
System
(GPS)
Module

111

113
Speech
Translator
Module

Processor
Module

112
Memory
Module

Fig. 16

114

Wireless Voice
1 - - - - - - - 1 Communications
Module

•
rJl
•

Global
Positioning
Module

11

26

25

112

>

=

~
N

Longitude,
Latitude,
Speed, Time
& Direction
Detection
Module

Automatic
Speed
Controlled
Location
Detection
Module

Real Time
Dynamic
Scanning
DataBase
Module

~-..J

N

c

C
N

Memory
Module

'JJ.

=-

~
~

.....

'""'"
\C
0

....,
N

Ul

22

1----, Command,
Control &
Timing
Module

t::===:J...c=:.:.;,.._____....
Fig. 17

d

Longitude,
Latitude,
Speed, Time
& Direction
Detectors

•
rJl
•

24

~

~

.....
.....
~

=

,-12

Automatic
Speed
Controlled
Collision
Detection
Module

Memory
Module

>

=

~
N

~-..J

N

c
c

N

'JJ.

=-

~
~

.....
N

c

....,

0

N

Ul

.......---1

Command,
Control &
Timing
Module
22

Fig. 18

d

•
rJl
•

Tone
Generator and
Automatic
Dialer Module
22

Command,
Control &
Timing
Module

88

Memory
Module

Data to Speech
Translator
Module

112

"'--14

Receive
Command
L _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _---, Tone Decoder
Module

Fig. 19

85

Wireless
Voice
Communications
Module

u.s. Patent

Aug. 27, 2002

1

120
LOCATION
DATABASE
MODULE

US 6,442,485 B2

Sheet 22 of 25

121,

1

GPS
SEARCH FILE
DATABASE
MODULE

,,

h160
1

LOCATION
COMPARATORINDICATOR
;--122
MODULE

_

L ___ _

1

1

___ J

Fig. 20
lloc"AiiONDATABASE---,-r-120

121--.r- -

I
I

130

MODULE

1

1

-

---.

DATABASE MODULE

123

STANDARD GEOGRAPHIC
LOCATION DATA

-

. GPS SEARCH FILE

I

INCOMING GPS SIGNAL
INTERFACE

t - - - - - - - - - I _ _ _ _--.-_ _ _ _- 1 1 - - - - - - - - - 1
LOCATION DATA
TRANSLATOR

124

DATABASE FILE NAME
DEVELOPER

125

1

SIGNAL
TRANSLATOR

1

I
I

131
GPS FILE
NAME DEVELOPER

132

1
----~

1

----~

I

LOCATION AND GPS
FILE NAME
COMPARATOR
MATCHED LOCATION
FILE RECORD SCANNER
LOCATION
INDICATOR

v-133

I

II

~ 134

II

f,I- 135

---~

Fig. 21

u.s. Patent

US 6,442,485 B2

Sheet 23 of 25

Aug. 27, 2002

142
136

STANDARD
GEOGRAPHIC
LOCATION DATA

INCOMING
GPS SIGNAL

143

137
GPS DATA
TRANSLATOR

LOCATION
DA T A TRANSLATOR

144

138
LOCATION
DATA FILE NAME
DEVELOPER

GPS DATA FILE NAME
DEVELOPER
NO

GPS DATA
FILE NAME

LOCATION DATA
FILE NAME

YES

GPS DATA

LOCATION DATA

NO------------------~

LOCATION
INDICATOR

141

Fig. 22

u.s. Patent

Sheet 24 of 25

Aug. 27, 2002

US 6,442,485 B2

co
I

0

.....J

W
LL

r-....
I
0

.....J

W

L-J
co
.q'T"""

L-J

LL
co
I
0

.....J

W

LL

~

LO
I

M
N

0

.....J ~

W
LL

.qI

0

.....J

W

LL

•

C)

.LL

LO
.q'T"""

~

~o

LO
'T"""

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I

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-

C\I
I

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.....J

W
LL

-

LJ

'T"""
I

0

.....J

W
LL

-

LJ

GPS Search File Format:
XXXXYYYY.ABC
(X - latitude , Y - Longitude)

Degree Size nA" Rotation "B" and Hemisphere "C n Combinations
A#
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 S

B#
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 S

C#
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 S

GPS Input Data Fields:
Field #4, Degree Size for "A"
1 (=

(
126

> 100 Longitude)

0

0

0

0

9 (Less Than 100 Oeg. Longitude)

0

0

0

o (Less Than 100 Oeg. Longitude)

0
0

0

0

0

0

Null (Less Than 100 Oeg. Longitude)

0
0
0

Field #5, Rotation Direction for "B"
W (0·180 Oeg. West)
E (Not West so 0·180 Oeg. East)
(Not West so 0·180 Oeg. East)
Null (Not West so 0·180 Oeg. East)

0 0

(" o

127

0 0
0 0
0 0

0 0

Field #3, Hemis~here for "c"
N (Northern)
S (Not Northern so Southern)
(Not Northern so Southern)
1
Null (Not Northern so Southern)

ra

0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0

o

Preferred Combinations of A, 8, and C:
1.
2.
3.
____ 4.
(
5.
129 6.
7.
S.

XXXXYYYY
XXXXYYYY
XXXXYYYY
XXXXYYYY
XXXXYYYY
XXXXYYYY
XXXXYYYY
XXXXYYYY

0 0
0 0
0 0

.A1B1C1 = 1,W,N
.A2B2C2 = 9,W,N = O,W,N = Null,W,N
.A3B3C3 = 1,E,N = 1,0,N = 1,NulI,N
.A4B4C4 = 9,E,N = O,O,N = Null,NulI,N
.A5B5C5 = 1,W,S = 1,W,0 = 1,W,Null
.A6B6C6 = 9,W,S = O,W,O = NulI,W,Null
.A7B7C7 = 1,E,Null = 1,0,0 = 1,NulI,Null
.ASBSCS = 9,E,S = 0,0,0 = Null,Null,Null

Fig. 24

d

•
rJl
•

US 6,442,485 B2
1

2

party. The third party is a tracking station or base station that
is operator attended. If the user is involved in a vehicular
collision, the Mayday System senses the collision and notifies the base station via wireless communication. The actual
5 vehicular collision sensors encode the collision event in
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
digital data form and transmit the data to the base station.
APPLICATION
The receiving base station plots the data on an operator
attended computer screen. The operator can visually recogThis application is a divisional of u.s. patent application
nize that a particular vehicle collision has occurred and can
Ser. No. 09/593,044, now allowed U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,617, 10 take appropriate action or perform a predetermined sequence
filed Jun. 12, 2000 which claims the benefit of US Proviof tasks. Examples of predetermined tasks may include
sional Application Number 60/138,469 filed on Jun. 10,
contacting emergency services in the vicinity of the vehicu1999.
lar collision or communicating directly with the vehicle to
determine the extent of damage to the vehicle, or injuries to
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
15 the driver or vehicle occupants. In effect, the third party
contacted by the Mayday system directs the efforts to a
The invention relates, in general, to an apparatus for
fourth party. The fourth party may be emergency services of
automatic vehicle location, collision notification, and synsome type or any other response to the directive data from
thetic voice communication. In particular, the invention
the vehicle.
relates to a controller with a memory, a Global Positioning
System, and means for wireless communication connec- 20
The Mayday system is predicated on the need for receivtively disposed within a vehicle. More particularly the
ing the third party base station operator having a computer
invention relates to a plurality of data structures stored in the
screen capable of plotting the received encoded digital
memory wherein the data structures are formulated into
information from the vehicle in order to determine its
instruction modules to direct the functioning of the controllocation. The user must also be physically able to respond to
ler.
25 voice communications from the base station operator. The
functional caveat of the Mayday System is that if no encoded
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
information is received from the vehicle the base station
operator will never be informed that a vehicular collision has
Travel information has long been available to motorists of
occurred. If the user of the Mayday system is physically
all types. Historically, motorists in all types of vehicles
30 impaired due to the inability to speak or does not speak the
would ask route or travel directions from gas station
language of the base station operator, the user cannot comattendants, and convenience store operators or they would
municate directly with the operator.
consult a map of the local area in question. In 1967, the
It would be desirable to have an automatic vehicle locaGlobal Positioning System (GPS) became commercially
available. The GPS system consists of a plurality of satellites 35 tion and collision notification system that would ascertain if
a vehicular collision had occurred and communicate directly
that are in orbit around the earth and beam positional
with an emergency facility. The system would notify an
information towards the surface of the earth. A receiver on
emergency facility in the vicinity of the vehicular collision
the surface of the earth may, if desired, receive the beamed
without first notifying an intermediate operator who has to
signals and is able to determine their relative positions. If the
receiver is mounted in a vehicle such as an automobile, 40 relay the collision event and possible emergency necessity to
the emergency facility. The system would be capable of
truck, airplane, or motorcycle, the relative position and
transmitting vehicle collision location data and pertinent
direction of travel can be determined by receiving multiple
data concerning the vehicle operator or occupants. It would
GPS signals and computing the direction of travel. An
be able to translate and transform this data into synthetic
example of this type of navigational system is produced by
ALK Associates under the product name of CO-Pilot 2000. 45 voice communication using any desired language for the
present location of the vehicle. The synthetic voice commuThe motorist, operator, driver, or user of the CO-Pilot
nication would speak the vehicle collision location and
2000 system communicates with the system by entering
pertinent data directly to a third party who would immediinformation concerning this expected destination and
ately dispatch emergency personnel to the collision location.
CO-Pilot 2000 plots the trip using GPS information. The
If the system were unable to communicate with a first
CO-Pilot 2000 may, if desired, enunciate approaching intersections and respond to voice commands from the user. This 50 selected third party, the system would speak the data to a
second or subsequent selected third party. This process of
type of system is dedicated to the vehicle and the navigacommunicating would continue until a voice link between
tional information derived from GPS positional notation of
the system and a third party was established.
the vehicle is for the users of the system and is not
transmitted to a third party. If the user in the vehicle desires 55
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
communication with a third party, he must use a wireless
form of communication such as an analog or digital teleA motorist, operator, driver, or user of the present invenphone i.e., cellular or PCS telephone.
tion may at some point in his operation of a vehicle be
involved in a collision with another vehicle or object. If the
An automatic communication link between a user in the
vehicle and the third party can be established. Current 60 user is physically impaired or mute during pre-collision,
collision, or post-collision he may not be able to with a
technology permits collision detection of the vehicle and
recipient of an emergency communique or third party to gain
notification of the collision to a third party. The Transporemergency services.
tation Group of Veridian Engineering Company manufacThe present invention is an apparatus for automatic
tures a product entitled the Mayday System. The Mayday
System combines Co-Pilot 2000 like technology with wire- 65 vehicle location, collision notification, and synthetic voice
less telephone technology to produce a system that autocommunication to a selected recipient or third party i.e.,
matically communicates the vehicle's position to a third
emergency services, any subsequent desired recipient, or
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN
AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LOCATION,
COLLISION NOTIFICATION, AND
SYNTHETIC VOICE

US 6,442,485 B2

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third party directly from the vehicle. The present invention
example, when the vehicle approaches a street intersection
does not rely on communication to the recipient or third
the speed of the vehicle is ascertained and a -R-factor
party via a base-station operator who then relays the comrelative to that speed is appended to the approaching street
munique to the emergency service. The present invention
intersection. When the vehicle is within a predetermined
may, if desired, communicate with any selected recipient or 5 range or distance from the street intersection the Data to
third party even if there is no immediate collision or emerSpeech Translation Module enunciates in a synthetic voice
gency. An example of the user desiring to communicate with
the name of the street intersection or any other desired
the recipient or third party is the user who is physically
denotation. The -R-factor is dynamic i.e., small values of -Rimpaired and desires to communicate his present vehicle
pertain to slower moving vehicles and larger values of -Rnavigation position to the recipient or third party. The 10 pertain to faster moving vehicles. With small values of -R-,
present invention may, if desired, be polled or interrogated
street intersections immediately in range of the vehicle are
as to the vehicle's present navigational location. The polling
enunciated. As the speed of the vehicle increase so does the
or interrogating remotely may, if desired, be accomplished
-R- factor and range to the expected street intersection. For
without notifying the driver or occupants of the vehicle. All
example, the higher the speed of the vehicle, the larger the
transmissions of navigational location of the vehicle or 15 -R- factor, the more distant the expected street intersection
attributes concerning the driver or other occupants of the
is enunciated by the Data to Speech Translation Module.
vehicle are by synthetic voice. If desired all information or
A Data to Speech Translation Module announces the
data collected during a collision may be manually retrieved
approaching of a selected intersection location. The
either by synthetic voice or in digital data using a simple
announced intersection location is derived, in part, from the
Text Editor with a laptop PC or equivalent connected to the 20
look-ahead navigational record stored in memory. The looksystem serial port.
ahead navigational record is continuously or dynamically
The present invention has a computer or controller with a
updated as the speed of the vehicle changes i.e., larger or
memory. The memory may, if desired, be a combination of
smaller values of -R-.
types such as a read only memory as with a CD-ROM, an
The Real Time Dynamic Scanning Database Module has
encoded floppy disk, a ReadIWrite sold state memory or
25 logic or data structures that select a database file to match the
random access either dynamic or static. A Global Positioncurrent navigational position to the derived navigational
ing System and means for wireless communication are
position via GPS Data to Base Code Translation Module.
connected to the controller in the vehicle. The memory has
The logic or data structures that command and control the
stored therein a plurality of data structures formulated into
database file to match the current navigational position or
interactive instruction modules to direct the functioning of
30 projected position to the derived or projected navigational
the controller. The memory further has stored therein at least
position are formulated into a plurality of modules. The
one navigational location record and statistical information
modules are a Location Database Module, a GPS Search File
about preceding events such as a collision profile.
Database Module, and a Location Comparator-Indicator
A Global Positioning Module receives navigation or posiModule. The Location Database Module, GPS Search File
tion data from the Global Positioning System. The Global
35 Database Module and the Location Comparator-Indicator
Positioning Module selectively translates the received data
Module create a dynamic, real-time longitude and latitude
into the vehicle's present navigational position. An Autorandom access database tracking system.
matic Speed Controlled Location Detection Module in comWhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawmunication with the Global Positioning Module dynamically searches the memory for a match between the vehicle's 40 ings and the appended claims, other features and advantages
of the present invention become apparent upon reading the
present navigational position and the navigational location
following detailed description of embodiments of the invenrecord. An Automatic Speed Controlled Collision Detection
tion.
Module receives at least one vehicle collision indicator from
at least one vehicle collision sensor. The Automatic Speed
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Controlled Collision Detection Module in communication 45
The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like
with the Automatic Speed Controlled Location Detection
reference characters designate the same or similar parts
Module formulates the match between the vehicle's navithroughout the figures of which:
gational position and the navigational location record into a
collision event. A Data to Speech Translation Module in
FIG. IA illustrates a top level block diagram view of the
communication with the Automatic Speed Controlled Col- 50 preferred embodiment of the present invention,
lision Detection Module translates the collision event into a
FIG. IB illustrates a top level block diagram view of
synthetic voice. A Wireless Voice Communications Module
present invention of FIG. IA in communication with a
in communication with the Data to Speech Translation
recipient or third party,
Module and the means for wireless communication transFIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram view of the present
mits the synthetic voice to the selected recipient or third
55 invention of FIG. IA interactively communicating with its
party.
sub-modules,
The present invention may, if desired, have a Dynamic
FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram view of the GPS Data
Speed to Record Detector Range Converter in communicato Base Code Translation Module of FIG. 2,
tion with the Automatic Speed Controlled Location DetecFIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram view of the Longitude,
tion Module. The Dynamic Speed to Record Detector Range 60
Latitude, Speed, Time, and Direction Detection Module of
Converter has at least one range factor data structure relative
FIG. 2,
to the speed of the vehicle. The range factor data structure
FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart diagram view of the
transforms the navigational record into a look-ahead naviAutomatic Speed Controlled Collision Detection Module of
gational record, whereby the Dynamic Speed to Record
Detector Range Converter continuously communicates 65 FIG. 2,
FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram view of the Command,
expected vehicle navigation position relative to the speed of
the vehicle via the Data to Speech Translation Module. For
Control, and Timing Module of FIG. 2,

US 6,442,485 B2
5
FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram view of the Automatic
Speed Controlled Collision Detection Module of FIG. 2,
FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram view of the Real Time
Dynamic Scanning Database Module of FIG. 2,
FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart view of the location
database partitioning and ordering functions,
FIG. lOA illustrates a block diagram view of the Automatic Speed Controlled Location Detection Module of FIG.

6

positional location of the vehicle, automatic emergency
transmittal of pertinent information during post-collision,
silent monitoring of the vehicle from any remote location,
wireless communication via any analog or digital type voice
telecommunications system. The present invention 10 may
5
further, if desired, provide the recording of pertinent information for local or remote synthetic voice retrieval, lookahead range finding for expected vehicle position with off
route location rejection, vehicle tracking from any remote
2
10 telephone, in vehicle Real Time synthetic voice enunciation
FIG. lOB illustrates a flow chart view of The Automatic
of navigation information such as Location, Speed and
Speed Controlled Location Comparator Module of FIG.
Direction and Local or Remote Retrieval of Accident InveslOA,
tigation information.
FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram view of the User
The present invention 10, FIG. 1A receives raw
Interfaced Module of FIG. 2,
15 positional, directional, and timing data from a Global Positioning Receiver 110, FIG. 16 via a Global Positioning
FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram view of the Power
Software Module 11, FIG. 1A. The Global Positioning
System of the present invention,
Module 11 selectively requests, restructures, and interprets
FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram view of the Data to
navigational position and timing data for an Automatic
Speech Translation Module of FIG. 2,
20 Speed Controlled Collision Detection Module 12. The AutoFIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram view of the Receive
matic Speed Controlled Collision Detection Module 12
Command Tone Decoder Module of FIG. 2,
requests present or current vehicle location from an AutoFIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram view of the Tone
matic Speed Controlled Location Detection Module 13. The
Generator and Automatic Dialer Module of FIG. 2,
Automatic Speed Controlled Location Detection Module 13
FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram view of the hardware 25 dynamically searches its database or controller memory
components of the present invention 10,
(delineated herein) for a match between selected data from
FIG. 17 illustrates a block diagram view of the operational
the Global Positioning Module 11 and the dynamic location
aspect of FIG. 16 pre-collision,
of the vehicle stored in its database. After a selected period
of time or when a match occurs the Automatic Speed
FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram view of the operational
30 Controlled Location Detection Module 13 reports its findaspect of FIG. 16, during a collision,
ings to the Automatic Speed Controlled Collision Detection
FIG. 19 illustrates a block diagram view of the operational
Module 12.
aspect of FIG. 16, during post-collision.
In parallel or sequentially the Automatic Speed Controlled
FIG. 20 illustrates a top level block diagram view of the
Collision Detection Module 12 polls at least one collision
Dynamic, Real Time Longitude and Latitude Random
35 detection sensor and determines if a collision has occurred
Access Database Search System,
within a selected time interval. If a collision has occurred,
FIG. 21 illustrates a detailed block diagram view of the
the present invention 10 stores in its memory all pertinent
Dynamic, Real Time Longitude and Latitude Random
collision event information or data concerning the vehicle,
Access Database Search System of FIG. 20,
location, direction, time, speed, and occupant attributes. A
FIG. 22 illustrates a flow chart view of the Dynamic, Real
Data to Speech Translation Module 14 in communication
Time Longitude and Latitude Random Access Database 40
with the Automatic Speed Controlled Collision Detection
Search System of FIG. 21,
Module 12 receives selected data from the Automatic Speed
FIG. 23 illustrates a block diagram of a data field,
Controlled Collision Detection Module 12. The Data to
FIG. 24 illustrates Table-l delineating various combinaSpeech Translation Module 14 translates the received
tions of degree size, rotation, and hemisphere.
45 selected data into any desired synthetic speech or language
usable by any analog or digital wireless telephone. The Data
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IRE
to Speech Translation Module 14 generates selected tones
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF IRE PRESENT
and commands to communicate with an intended selected
INVENTION
recipient or third party or third party wireless communicaThe present invention 10, FIG. 1Ais an automatic vehicle 50 tion system.
location, collision notification, and synthetic voice commuA Wireless Voice Communications Module 15 in comnication system. The present invention 10 may, if desired, be
munication with the Data to Speech Translation Module 14
installed in any type of vehicle. Examples of vehicles are
receives the translated selected tones and commands for
automobiles, trucks, airplanes, or motorcycles. The instaltransmission to the recipient or third party. The Wireless
lation of the present invention 10 may, if desired, be in any 55 Voice Communications Module 15 transmits, via wireless
location on the vehicle that is available or known by those
communication 20, FIG. 1B the selected data concerning the
skilled in the art of installation of communication equipment
vehicle, location, or occupants to the selected recipient or
on vehicles. The present invention 10 functions or operates
third party in any selected language. The recipient or third
in a totally hands-free and eye-free environment. Since the
party via wireless, landline, or other known in the art
present invention 10 is automatic, no operator intervention 60 communication medium 21 receives the communique from
or special requirements are placed on a user, driver, or
the vehicle. The recipient or third party may, if desired,
occupant of the vehicle. The user may receive the benefit of
respond to the communication by notifying the appropriate
the present invention 10 if physically impaired or otherwise
emergency personnel or performing other selected activities.
incapacitated during pre-collision, collision, or postAn example of another selected activity is silently polling or
collision of the vehicle with another vehicle or object.
65 communicating with the vehicle to validate the occurrence
The present invention 10, FIG. 1A has a plurality of
of the collision. The polling or communication with the
functions. If desired the present invention 10 provides a
vehicle is not dependent on a response from the vehicle

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occupants or driver. The information requested from the
generator 42, rapid directional change detector 43, and
nearest location detector 44 are combined and transmitted to
vehicle may, if desired, be all or part of the stored informathe Data to Speech Translation Module 14, FIG. 2 (discussed
tion concerning any aspect of the collision, vehicle, vehicle
herein).
location, or occupants of the vehicle.
A logical flow of the determination of a collision 91, FIG.
The Existing Wireless Voice Communications System 16, 5
5 by the Automatic Speed Controlled Collision Detection
FIG. 1B may, if desired, be cellular technology based,
Module 12 begins with receiving base code data from the
satellite communication technology based, or any commuGPS Data to Base Code Translation Module 23, denoted at
nication medium known to those skilled in the art of
block 92, FIG. 5. With each receipt of new data from the
telecommunications. The Existing Wireless Voice Commu10 GPS Data to Base Code Translation Module 23, the deternications System 16 is connected to or in communication
mination of whether a collision has occurred is initialized.
with a Public Telephone Switching System 17. The Public
The initialization begins when the maximum vehicle speed
Telephone Switching System 17 provides the typical and
is equal to the vehicle speed generating a new vehicle speed
known infrastructure to communicate with mobile or wire93. The speed differential is set to zero and a scale factor
less transmission mediums. The Public Telephone Switching
15 (SF) 94 is set to 400. The maximum vehicle speed differSystem 17 is in communication with a Standard Touch Tone
ential is set to equal the vehicle speed differential 95. It has
Telephone 18. The Standard Touch Tone Telephone 18 may,
been empirically determined that 13 is a reasonable collision
if desired, be integral to a Remote Controller 19. The
threshold value for a slow city/urban speed of 30-mph while
Remote Controller 19 may, if desired, be any communica5.5 is a more appropriate value for a faster 70 mph highway
tion facility capable of responding to incoming voice com20 speed. Solving equation 100 for the scale factor SF using
munication. Since the present invention 10 transmits synthese 2 sets of numbers yields an SF of about 400 under both
thetic voice, no dialogue is required by the recipient or third
speed conditions. The one added to Maxspeed in 100 adds
party at the remote facility. The recipient or third party need
little to the end result but removes the mathematical problem
only respond to the commands provided by the data conof division by zero if MaxSpeed equals zero.
tained in the synthetic speech.
25
If the speed of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the
The Automatic Speed Controlled Location Detection
maximum speed 98, the maximum vehicle speed is made
Module 13, FIG. 7 has logic or data structures to convert
equal to the current vehicle speed 99 for use in the next
GPS speed (velocity) from kilometers per hour to miles per
I-second system cycle. If the speed of the vehicle is less than
hour and feet per second via a speed differential detector and
the maximum 98, the collision threshold 100 is equal to
limit generator 41. The speed differential detector and limit 30 scale factor multiplied by 1 divided by the maximum speed
generator 41 receives data from the Dynamic Scanning
plus 1. The vehicle speed differential is equal to the stored
Database Module 25 and calculates the difference in speed
value of speed i.e., old speed from 1 second earlier minus the
of the vehicle between successive I-second GPS data signewly derived vehicle speed 101.
nals. This Speed Difference for each I-second interval
If the vehicle speed differential is less than the maximum
equates to Acceleration or Deceleration.
35 vehicle speed differential 102, the new deceleration is less
An acceleration/deceleration and collision threshold genthan the old deceleration from 1 second earlier and the
erator 42 in communication with the Dynamic Scanning
vehicle is slowing down at a slower rate. The maximum
Database Module 25, FIG. 2 has logic or data structures that
speed differential is then made equal to the new speed
calculate acceleration/deceleration using data received from
differential 103 for use during the next I-second system
the speed differential detector and limit generator 41. The 40 cycle. If the vehicle speed differential is more than the
acceleration/deceleration and collision threshold generator
maximum speed differential 102 the vehicle is slowing down
42 provides or calculates a dynamically selectable Collision
at a faster rate indicating a possible collision in process.
Threshold value. Any Deceleration value greater than this
Thus all current data is stored for synthetic voice retrieval
Collision Threshold causes a vehicle collision to be reported.
104. If the vehicle speed differential is greater than the start
No collision is reported for Deceleration values below this 45 differential 105, deceleration of the vehicle has occurred. If
collision Threshold Value. The selectable threshold level is
the vehicle speed differential is less than the start differential
dynamically controlled by the speed of the vehicle to
105 no deceleration of the vehicle has occurred and probcompensate for the changes in the Inertial Forces of the
abl; no collision has occurred If the maximum vehicle speed
vehicle with speed and its resulting changes in measured
differential is greater than the Collision threshold 106, a
speed difference per second or acceleration/deceleration. 50 collision has occurred and the Automatic Speed Controlled
Deceleration values are used to report vehicle front-end
Collision Detection Module 12 responds as discussed
collisions while Acceleration values can be used to report
herein.
rear end collisions.
The GPS Data to Base Code Translation Module 23 FIG.
To augment or enhance the determination of the selectable
3 is in continuous serial communication with the GPS
collision threshold Level Rapid Directional Change Detec- 55 receiver via a RS-232 cable. The GPS Data To Base Code
tor 43 logic or data structure may, if desired, be implemented
Translation Module 23 has logic or data structures to facilito compare the rate of change in the direction of travel of the
tate the conversion and translation of raw data 30 received
vehicle to the speed of travel. The comparison is used to
from the GPS receiver to a selected logic level that may be
separate a "reasonable" directional change for a given speed,
interpreted by any selected type of logical functions into
such as a vehicle turning versus a forced directional change 60 navigational parameters. An example of a selected logical
such as a side or angular collision. Side impact and vehicle
function is converting the serial data communication to TTL
orientation sensors may also be employed.
functional logic. The GPS Data to Base Code Translation
Module 23 has logic or data structures to decode or extract
In addition, a nearest location detector 44 logic or data
31 the RMC code from the received GPS data. The RMC
structure determines or calculates the distance (range) and
direction of the vehicle from the last known stored vehicle 65 code is the line of code containing the needed Navigation
location. The data output of the speed differential detector
data and is extracted from the National Marine Electronic
and limit generator 41, velocity and collision threshold
Association (NMEA) protocol Data packet being received

US 6,442,485 B2

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from the GPS Module. The GPS Data to Base Code Transtypes. An operating system program 39 in communication
lation Module 23 has logic or data structures to automatiwith the memory petition and control system 38 has logic or
cally detect any errors in the reception sequence of the RMC
data structures to coordinate and facilitate all system level
data. If an error is detected logic function 32 automatically
processing functions for the present invention 10. A comcorrects the error by resetting the RMC decode function and 5 mand and operating system 40 in communication with the
initiating a new decoding or extraction of RMC data. The
operating system program 39 has logic or data structures to
data produced or resolved by the GPS Data to Base Code
interpret local or manual activation commands from the user
Translation Module 23 is base code data containing navior driver of the vehicle or remotely from a recipient or third
gational parameters.
party via wireless communication and select received teleThe Longitude, Speed, Time and Direction Detection 10 phone tones.
Module 24 FIG. 4 has logic or data structures to extract from
The Automatic Speed Controlled Location Detection
or transform the base code data pertaining to the real time
Module 13, FIG. 2 may, if desired, be in interactive composition, speed, time, and direction of the vehicle. The
munication with a Real Time Dynamic Scanning Database
Longitudinal, Latitude, Base Code Decoder and ASCII/
Module 25 and a User Interface Module 27. The Automatic
BINARY format Translation 33 logic or data structure 15 Speed Controlled Location Detection Module 13, FIG. lOA
decodes or transforms the received GPS positional data from
has logic or data structures for determining a range (R)
ASCII to a binary format for logical processing by the
factor. The range factor enables the synthetic voice enunpresent invention 10. The Speed Base Code Decoder and
ciation from the Data to Speech Translation Module 14 to
Nautical to Linear miles format Translation 34 logic or data
announce the approaching of a selected intersection locastructure decodes or transforms the received base code and 20 tion. A Speed to Record Detector Range (R) Converter 62
dynamically translates it from nautical knots to miles per
dynamically converts the range to the selected intersection
hour.
into selected values with respect to the speed of the vehicle
The time base data decoder and universal time to United
i.e., smaller R-values for slower traveling vehicles and larger
States (US) time 35 logic or data structure decodes or
R-values for faster traveling vehicles. A scanned location
transforms the received base code into 24-hour based US 25 range expander 63 logic or data structure adds the dynamic
range R-value to each location record in the matched sub-file
time. The navigational direction of travel base code decoder
and the two sub-files to be scanned, (as discussed herein).
and degree/minute/second to degrees format Translation 36
logic or data structure decodes or transforms the received
A real time longitudinal and latitude to expanded range
base code into 360-degrees of the direction of travel of the
and scanned location comparator 64 logic or data structure
vehicle. The 360-degree direction of travel is further parti- 30 compares the expanded range R-value location records in
tioned into eight segments of 45-degrees each to provide a
the match sub-file to the real time current vehicle location.
direction of travel "dead reckoning" function. These segWhen a record match is found having values of latitude and
ments may, if desired, be labeled north, northeast, east, etc.
longitude that the current latitude and longitude values fall
and stored in memory as text for the Data To Speech
within, a location match has occurred. If the initial vehicle
Translation Module 14 to enunciate either locally, i.e., in the 35 position is borderline between the two sub-files and it has
vehicle or remotely to the recipient or third party.
passed from one to the other during the matching process,
the system then scans the two additional sub-files for a
The Command, Control and Timing Module 22, FIG. 2
matching record. If no match is found, the Real Time
provides the command, control, and timing of events of the
present invention 10. The Command, Control and Timing
Dynamic Scanning Database Module 25, FIG. 2 starts over
Module 22 coordinates all data inputs, outputs, and conflict 40 following a 1 second time period and a request for new GPS
resolution between event priorities of the present invention
data input from the Global Positioning Module 11. Aredun10. For example, the Command, Control and Timing Moddant location filter 65 logic or data structure compares the
ule 22 receive either manual or automatic activation comnewly matched location to the previous match location. If
the two are the same, the new location is filtered out and the
mands and function switching commands from the (to be
discussed) Tone generator and Automatic Dialer Module 29. 45 information or data sent to the speech encoder for local and
The Command, Control and Timing Module 22 integrates
remote enunciation is not sent again.
these commands or functions into the operation of the
A logical flow diagram of the speed to record detector
present invention 10 in concert with receiving timing signals
range (R) converter 62, FIG. lOB begins with an empirically
from the Global Positioning Module 11. The resultant timing
derived initial range R-value 66 equal to a selected value.
function coordinates the activities of vehicle events. The 50 This value is determined from the fact that in Mid USA 0.01
vehicle events are defined as data accumulation of activities
degree of nautical distance is about 264 feet of surface
with respect to attributes of the vehicle, the driver or
distance. 264 feet is a reasonable Intersection Detection
occupants, time of day, speed, location, or collision of the
Range for a slow moving vehicle with a Base Speed of about
vehicle.
30 mph in an Urban/City environment. An InitiallMinimum
The Command, Control and Timing Module 22, FIG. 6 55 R value of 0.1 corresponds to this minimum Range of 264
feet. Determination of the R-values for various speeds has
has logic or data structures to receive a selected repetition
rate or signal from the Global Positioning Module 11 and
been empirically measured by comparing various types of
vehicles including their mass and Inertial Energy effects.
creates a clocking system 37 to synchronize all modules,
sub-modules, and switching functions of the present invenAlternate values of initial and operating values for Rand
tion 10. The received repetition rate or signal may, if desired, 60 Minimum Base Speed may be appropriate for different
be in the range of about O.5-seconds to about 2-seconds.
vehicle types and specific applications. Given a Base Speed
Preferably, the received repetition rate or signal is I-second.
of 30 mph and a desired R of 0.1, solving for constant K in
A memory partition and control system 38 receives timing
equation 74 yields K=lO. Using this same value of K=lO and
selecting a highway speed of 70 mph and keeping the base
data from the GPS controlled system timer 37. The memory
partition and control system 38 logic or data structure 65 speed of 30 mph gives an R value of 0.5 for an Intersection
formulates or allocates memory partitions for temporary and
Location Range of 1320 feet or Y4 mile. The stored vehicle
memory stored data and may, if desired, archive selected file
intersection latitude location 69 and the stored vehicle

US 6,442,485 B2
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12

longitude location 70 are retrieved from the database. The
dependent upon the processing speed of the computer or
real time latitude 72 and the real time longitude 71 are
controller implementing the present invention 10. For each
"X" file the minimum latitude value, maximum latitude
received from the GPS Data to Base Code Translation
value, minimum longitude value and maximum longitude
Module 23. The current speed of the vehicle is determined
and compared to the Base Speed.
5 value is determined 59 for all "N" records in that file. The
determined minimum and maximum values are attached 60
If the current speed of the vehicle is greater than the Base
to the end of each file and each is assigned an ascending
Speed 73, the new R-value 74 is equal to the current speed
numeric file name. The files are then transmitted to the
minus the Base Speed plus K=lO, multiplied by 0.01. If the
Automatic Vehicle Collision and Location Detection Modcurrent speed of the vehicle is less than the Base Speed the
new R-value 74 is equal to K=lO, multiplied by 0.01. Speed 10 ule 13 for further processing 61.
The User Interface Module 27, FIG. 2 has logic or data
minus BaseSpeed 75 is made equal to zero to avoid negative
values of R. The longitude and latitude 115 are resolved in
structures 45, 46, and 47 FIG. 11 that permit the present
relation to the R-value. The new location of the vehicle is
invention 10 to be activated, if desired, in the manual mode.
determined from the newly derived longitude and the latiA manual local input command switch 45 receives a comtude data database values having -R- included. The new 15 mand or commands from the user to operate in the manual
location of the vehicle is compared to the most recent
mode. If the manual mode is activated, the present invention
10 sends any select or all stored information concerning the
location of the vehicle 76. If the new location is equal to the
previous location, the present invention 10 determines that
vehicle and its occupants to the Data To Speech Translation
the vehicle has not moved to a new location and updating is
Module 14 for transmission to a recipient or third party.
not required. If the new location is not equal to the previous 20 When this function is activated via a switch to indicator
feedback 46, a select control function indicator lamp(s) 47
location, the new GPS location is within the range of the
R-value of the database intersection location 77. The valid
is activated. For example, the function indicator lamp(s) are
illuminated when the system is switched to the manual mode
intersection location information or data is sent to the
and a selected message is activated for output. Additional
Automatic Speed Controlled Location Detection Module 13
for further processing 78.
25 function indicator lamp(s) 47 provide visual indication of
system operation such as applied power and input/output
The Real Time Dynamic Scanning Database Module 25,
data flow for diagnostics.
FIG. 8 has logic or data structures that select a database file
to match the current position derived from the GPS Data to
The User Interface Module 27, FIG. 12 also provides
Base Code Translation Module 23. A dynamic location
logic or data structures to command and control an input
record and file minimum or maximum range limit 52 con- 30 voltage noise filter 48. The input voltage noise filter 48
controls or removes the electrical signal noise emanating
trols the selection process. The dynamic location record and
from noise sources. Examples of noise sources are the
file minimum or maximum range limit generator 52 splits a
master location database file into smaller sub-files with each
applied power sources i.e., batteries, regulators, and the
vehicle ignition system. The User Interface Module 27
containing a selectable number of location records. The size
of the sub-files is dependent on the overall size of the 35 contains multiple voltage regulators 49 to provide the
memory and processing speed of the controller implementpresent invention 10 with various system power level
ing the present invention 10. The range limit generator then
requirements. An output voltage ripple/noise filter 50
removes the power supply ripple and regulator noise from
measures the minimum or maximum range in concert with
each of the different voltage level outputs. A voltage distrithe latitudellongitude values of all the records contained in
each sub-file and attaches these values to the end of that file. 40 bution panel 51 provides power to each of the modules or
A dynamic file name generator 53 scans the added record in
sub-modules that are connected to the present invention 10.
each of the sub-files comparing the minimum and maximum
The Data to Speech Translation Module 14, FIG. 2 may,
location values to the real time current latitude and longiif desired, be in interactive communication with a Tone
tudinal values. A match sub-file occurs when a sub-file is
Generator and Automatic Dialer Module 29, a Receiver
found which has minimum and maximum location values 45 Command Tone Decoder Module 28, and the Wireless Voice
that enclose the current latitude and longitude. That sub-file
Communications Module 15. The Data to Speech Translais then selected for further processing and assigned a new
tion Module 14, FIG. 13 has logic or data structures for
file name. Adynamic location record scanner 54 searches for
verifying and regulating the timing function of the transthat selected matched sub-file and transmits the data conmissions of the location and collision data with respect to the
tained in that file to the Automatic Speed Controlled Loca- 50 GPS data via a Translation timer 79. The Data to Speech
tion Detection Module 13. An up/down directional scan
Translation Module 14 further has logic or data structures
controller 55 has logic or data structures that cause the
that command and control a phoneme library 80 containing
dynamic file name generator 53 to select and name two
all synthetic voice utterances and rules of speech in data or
additional sub-files. One has the minimum and maximum
digital form. An output data to phoneme speech Translation
location values one level above and the other has one level 55 81 receives the combined data from the data output of the
below those values determined during the matched sub-file
speed differential detector and limit generator 41, velocity
processing. The up/down directional scan controller 55 also
and collision threshold generator 42, rapid directional
causes the dynamic location record scanner 54 to transmit
change detector 43, and nearest location detector 44. The
these additional two sub-files to the Automatic Speed Conoutput data to phoneme speech Translation 81 translates the
trolled Location Detection Module 13.
60 incoming information, data, or text to synthetic speech by
matching the letters, words, and context of the text to
A logical data flow of the above-discussed Real Time
Dynamic Scanning Database Module 25, FIG. 9 begins with
contents of the phoneme library 80 and then outputs a digital
loading the raw latitude and longitude data of each street
or synthetic representation of a voice. A final speech filter 82
location 56. The loaded data is ordered by descending
filters out time gaps and processing noise in the digital
latitude and ascending longitude 57 The database is parti- 65 synthetic speech. The final speech filter 82 creates a close
tioned into a selected number of "X" files each having a
approximation of a true analog voice suitable for wireless
selected "N" number of records 58. The "N" number is
communication to a recipient or third party.

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The Receive Command Tone Decoder Module 28, FIG.
The present invention 10 may, if desired, be programmed
14 in communication with the Wireless Voice Communicain any suitable programming language known to those
tions Module 15 has logic or data structures that command
skilled in the art. An example of a programming language is
and control a tone decoder and filter 83 decodes all the dual
disclosed in C Programming Language, 2/e, Kernighan &
frequency telephone tones sent from the recipient or third 5 Richtie, Prentice Hall, (1989). The integration of the software aspect with the hardware component of the present
party and the special loop back tones being used for internal
invention 10 is delineated herein.
hardware logic switching functions. The tone decoder and
The present invention 10 may, if desired, have three
filter 83 also filters out any extraneous transmission noise
being received. A tone selector 84 selects a particular dual
distinct operating modes: pre-collision with another vehicle
tone output that matches a specific system function com- 10 or object, during the collision with another vehicle or object,
and post-collision with another vehicle or object. Once
mand sent from the recipient or third party or used for
electrical power is applied to start the vehicle by the user or
internal switching functions. A receiver command output
driver the present invention 10 is automatically activated.
interface 85 converts each received dual tone output into its
associated logic control or hardware switching function and
The present invention 10, FIG. 17 begins receiving consends the results to the Command, Control and Timing 15 tinuously updated navigational data at a selectable rate via
Module 22. Selected tones received from a recipient or third
the Global Positioning Module. The navigational data is
party may be used to remotely repeat previously sent infordecoded into the vehicle's present speed, time of day,
mation or retrieve different levels of additional information
direction, and location in terms of longitude and latitude via
stored in the system memory of the vehicle. A tone decoder
the Longitude, Latitude, Speed, Time, and Direction Detectimer 86 generates the timing signals to decode the dual 20 tion Module 24. The Real Time Dynamic Scanning Database
frequency telephone tones and it sends the correct timing
Module 25 receives the decoded navigation data and persignal to the tone decoder and filter 83.
forms a match with its stored longitude and latitude street
The Tone Generator and Automatic Dialer Module 29,
intersection locations, as delineated herein. The present
FIG. 15 in communication with the Wireless Voice Cominvention 10 recognizes an approaching street intersection
munications Module 15 has logic or data structures that 25 location from a selected distance from the vehicle. The
command and control a dual tone encoder timer 87 to
distance or range to the street intersection location is
determine the timing signals required for dual tone generadynamically controlled by the speed of the vehicle. When
tion. A dual tone generator 88 receives the timing signals
the longitude and latitude of the present location of the
from the dual tone encoder timer 87 and generates high band
vehicle falls within the speed controlled range of the Autoand low band frequencies that form the dual tones. The dual 30 matic Speed Controlled Location Detection Module 13, a
valid match occurs as delineated herein. All navigational
tone generator 88 adds the two frequencies together forming
sixteen different dual tones for telephone dialing. A dual tone
data, scanning, and matched location data is stored in the
System Memory Module 112 by the Command, Control, and
selector 89, receiving the dual tones from the dual tone
generator 88, interprets calling directions from the
Timing Module 22. The Command, Control, and Timing
Command, Control and Timing Module 22 and selects 35 Module 22 ascertains that no collision has occurred;
which dual tone is sent to the Wireless Voice Communicatherefore, the present invention 10 is updated with new
navigational data from the Global Positioning Module 11.
tions Module 15 to dial a selected telephone number. An
This process continues while the vehicle is operating until it
on/off hook controller 90 receives the dialing instructions
is involved in a collision with another vehicle or object.
from the dual tone selector 89 and activates the controls of
the on/off hook of telephone communication. When the 40
When the vehicle containing the present invention 10,
on/off hook controller 90 is in the off hook mode, the
FIG. 18 is involved in a collision with another vehicle or
Wireless Voice Communications Module 15 is activated and
object all the data concerning the vehicle's location and
proceeds to dial the selected telephone number. Once the
pertinent user data is stored in the System's Memory Modconnection is verified, the synthetic voice message may be
ule 112 via the Automatic Speed Controlled Collision Detecsent to the recipient or third party.
45 tion Module 12. Under the control of the Command Control
and Timing Module 22, FIG. 19 the collision data is transThe present invention 10 may, if desired, be implemented
by any combination of convenient hardware components or
formed into voice data by the Data to Speech Translation
Module 14. The off-hook indicator in the vehicle indicates
software programming language consistent with the precepts of the present invention or by any known means to
the wireless communication link has been activated. The
those skilled in the art. A typical Global Position System 50 Tone Generator and Automatic Dialer Module 88 provide
Module 110, FIG. 16 is manufactured by TravRoute, Inc.
the Wireless Voice Communications Module 15 with the
with a manufacturer's part number of Co-Pilot 2000. The
selected tones to dial any selected telephone number of the
Global Position System Module 110 is connected to a
recipient or third party via an analog or digital telephone.
Microprocessor Based Module 111 with an associated or
The Data to Speech Translation Module 14 sends a synthetic
connected Memory Module 112. The Microprocessor Based 55 voice request for transmittal confirmation. Once the Wireless Voice Communications Module 15 receives this transModule 111 is manufactured by J K Microsystems, Inc. and
has a manufacturer's part number of Flashlite 386EX. The
mittal confirmation command from the intended recipient or
Memory Module 112 is manufactured by M-System, Inc.
third party the Data to Speech Translation Module 14 can
and has a manufacturer's part number of DiskOnChip 2000.
begin the synthetic voice transmission of the data concernThe Microprocessor Based Module 111 is connected to a 60 ing the vehicle's location and pertinent user data. The
Speech Translation Module 113 manufactured by RC
transmittal confirmation command may, if desired, be tones
generated by the intended recipient or third party using their
Systems, Inc. with a manufacturer's part number of V8600.
The Speech Translation Module 113 is connected to a
telephone. In addition to transmittal confirmation, the recipiWireless Voice Communications Module 114 manufactured
ent or third party may be directed from the data received
by Motorola, Inc. with a manufacturer's part number of 65 from the vehicle to press or dial numbers on their telephone
S1926D. The integration of the hardware component aspect
Tone keypad in a selected order to have the vehicle re-send
of the present invention 10 is delineated herein.
the previous information or send additional user and vehicle

US 6,442,485 B2
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data. The recipient or third party may also use their Tone
124. The Location Data Translator 124 selects a record from
keypad to call the vehicle and with the proper identification
the Standard Geographic Location Data 123. The Location
request specific stored or real time information such as
Data Translator 124 translates that record and temporally
location, speed and direction.
stores the translated record in memory. The Location Data
The Command Control and Timing Module 22 may, if 5 Translator 124 begins the process of translating by selecting
data fields from the record. The data fields selected are
desired, have data structures contained therein to repeat the
longitude, latitude, degree size, hemisphere, and rotation.
initial communication effort by instructing the Wireless
These particular data fields are generally present in any
Voice Communications Module 15 to redial the initially
particular global positional or navigational data selected for
selected telephone number. The redialing may, if desired,
continue for a selected period of time. Typically, the redial 10 use in concert with the present invention 10. Longitude is
period is from 3 seconds to about 3 minutes. Preferably, the
defined as 0° to 180° (degrees) with 0° ( degrees) at
redialing process is for 45 seconds. In the event the Receive
Greenwich, England. Latitude is defined as 0° to 90°
Command Tone Decoder Module 85 does not receive the
(degrees) with 0° (degrees) at the Equator and 90° (degrees)
transmittal confirmed command from the intended recipient
at the North Pole for the Northern Hemisphere or 90°
or third party within a selected period of time the Command
(degrees) at the South Pole for the Southern Hemisphere.
Control and Timing Module 22 will instruct the Tone 15 Rotation is defined as longitudinal position East or West
Generator and Automatic Dialer Module 88 to provide the
from 0° (degrees) at Greenwich, England. Degree size is
Wireless Voice Communications Module 15 with an alterdefined as any symbol or groups of symbols indicating
nate or subsequent recipient or third party telephone number.
longitudinal degrees from 0° (degrees) to less than 100°
This redialing process continues until the communication
20 (degrees) or longitudinal degrees from 100° (degrees) to
link with the recipient or third party is established. The
180° (degrees). The symbol may, if desired, be numeric,
Command Control and Timing Module 22 may, if desired,
alphanumeric, or graphical. For example, longitudinal
repeat the entire dialing process any selected number of
degrees from 0° (degrees) to less than 100° (degrees) are
times until a communication link is established with the
represented by the numeric value nine or longitudinal
recipient or third party.
The Real Time Dynamic Scanning Database Module 25, 25 degrees from 100° (degrees) to 180° (degrees) are represented by a numeric value one. The parsing of the selected
FIG. 8 has logic or data structures that select a database file
record in this manner yields eight Location Sections starting
to match the current navigational position to the derived
with four quadrants determined by the Northern or Southern
navigational position via GPS Data to Base Code TranslaHemisphere and by Longitude degrees being measured East
tion Module 23. The logic or data structures that command
and control the database file to match the current naviga- 30 or West of Zero Degrees from Greenwich England. Each of
these quadrants can be further partitioned into two sections,
tional position to the derived navigational position are
formulated into a plurality of modules. The modules are a
the first containing Longitude Degrees from 00.0000 to
99.9999 and the other containing Longitude Degrees from
Location Database Module 120, FIG. 20, a GPS Search File
100.0000 to 180.0000.
Database Module 121, and a Location Comparator-Indicator
Module 122. The Location Database Module 120, GPS 35
Any convenient database know in the art of database
Search File Database Module 121 and the Location
technology may be used to create a plurality of records each
Comparator-Indicator Module 122 create a dynamic, realdefining a specific location on earth of interest. After approtime longitude and latitude random access database tracking
priate data translation and conversion each record contains
system.
an initial record number, the Latitude and longitude for that
The tracking system translates the longitude and latitude 40 specific location, text describing that location and inform a received from the GPS Global Positioning Module 11, FIG.
tion indicating in which of the eight location sections that
1a and appends a selected predetermined code to the translocation lies. A new eight digit record number is created by
lated longitude and latitude. The tracking system has stored
appending a shortened four digit longitude number to a
in memory 112, FIG. 16 a matching translated longitude and
shortened four digit latitude number.
latitude with a selected predetermined code appended 45
A new database file number is also created and placed in
thereto. The tracking system randomly accesses the stored
memory using these same eight digits, adding a decimal and
translated longitude and latitude with a selected predeterappending 3 characters that represent in which of the eight
mined code and matches it to the incoming translated
location sections this specific record location lies. Each
longitude and latitude with a selected predetermined code.
record in the database is processed in the same manor. A new
The tracking system derives from the match an indicator 50 database file number is also created and stored for each
denoting the present or projected location of the vehicle or
unique eight digit record number found. A number of
object having the present invention 10 installed therein.
processed records will have the same new eight digit record
number but will differ in the full accuracy latitude and
The Location Database Module 120, FIG. 21 has stored in
memory 112, FIG. 16 the Standard Geographic Location
longitude data, location text or location section information
Data 123, FIG. 21. The Standard Geographic Location Data 55 each record contains.
123 is global positional or navigational data. The global
The Location Data Translator 124 latitude translation
positional or navigational data may, if desired, be any
process: The initial latitude data contained in the selected
surface, marine, or aircraft navigational data known in GPS
record is defined in degrees, minutes, and decimal minutes.
technology. An example of Standard Geographic Location
The Location Data Translator 124 translates the initial
Data 123 is data provided from MapInfo or NavTech Cor- 60 latitude data into degrees and decimal degrees. The decimal
porations. The Standard Geographic Location Data 123
degrees are reformatted to reflect the decimal point being
comprises a plurality of records each denoting a particular
positioned between the hundredths and thousandths place
navigational position. Each record comprises a plurality of
value position and data remaining beyond the ten thoufields each containing data pertinent to global or navigasandths place value position is truncated. The reformatted
tional position or location.
65 decimal degrees are appended to the initial data degrees. The
The Location Database Module 120, FIG. 21 has logic or
translated latitude is then reformatted as a whole number and
data structures formulated into a Location Data Translator
is used as a latitude reference number. For example, the

US 6,442,485 B2
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initial data is 3410.5472 (34 degrees, 10 minutes, 0.5472
three place values to denote the various combinations of
decimal minutes). The initial data is converted to degrees
degree size, rotation and hemisphere. Table 1, FIG. 24
and decimal degrees. The converted number becomes
delineates some, but not all of the various combinations
34.1757866 (34 degrees, 0.1757866 decimal degrees). The
possible for indicating degree size, rotation and hemisphere.
converted number after translation and truncation becomes 5 For example, the first place value is the symbol (9) 126
indicating the degree size is less than 100° (degrees) longitranslated latitude number 3417.57. The translated latitude
number is reformatted as a whole number 3417 and is used
tude. The second place value indicating the symbol (E) 127
indicating the rotation direction is East 0° to 180° (degrees).
as a latitude reference number.
The third place value is a symbol (N) 128 indicating the
The initial longitude data contained in the selected record
is defined in degrees, minutes, and decimal minutes. The 10 hemisphere is Northern. The predetermined code may, if
desired, contain alternate configurations with no loss in data
Location Data Translator 124 translates the initial longitude
integrity. For example, the predetermined code 9, E, N has
data into degrees and decimal degrees. The decimal degrees
an alternate configuration of O,O,N or Null, Null, N, (Null
are reformatted to reflect the decimal point being positioned
defined as no symbol). The alternative configuration of the
between the hundredths and thousandths place value position and data remaining beyond the ten thousandths place 15 predetermined code enables the user of the present invention
10 to compress data or reduce data memory storage when
value position is truncated. The reformatted decimal degrees
storing the longitude, latitude, and predetermined code in a
are appended to the initial data degrees. The translated
translated record. As discussed herein, the Database File
longitude is then reformatted as a whole number and is used
Name Developer 125 examines the data in each record in the
as a longitude reference number. The conversion process
may be accomplished by any convenient means known in 20 Translated Location Database creating a new Location Database File Name for each unique translated record number
the art of converting a number of a given first base value into
found. Each translated record is then placed in the New
an equivalent second base value. For example, the initial
Location Database File having the same name and Positional
longitude data is 08418.1644 (084 degrees, 18 minutes,
Information.
0.1644 decimal minutes). The initial data is converted to
In summation, the translated navigational data record
degrees and decimal degrees. The converted number 25
comprises a record number; longitude and latitude data,
becomes 84.30274 (84 degrees, 0.30274 decimal degrees).
location data, and the derived predetermined code. The
The converted number after translation and truncation
Database File Name Developer 125 has stored therein a
becomes translated longitude number 8430.27. The transplurality of files each containing a plurality of translated
lated longitude number is reformatted as a whole number
30 records denoting navigational data for all navigational posi8430 and is used as a longitude reference number.
tions on the globe or any selected portion thereof. The user
Since the translated longitude and latitude data is no
may, if desired, scan, sort, or perform other database
longer identical to the initial longitude and latitude data a
manipulations on the stored data known in the art of datanew record number is formulated-by appending the trunbase technology. After the above discussed process, the
cated longitude data, or longitude reference number, to the
truncated latitude data, or latitude reference number creating 35 longitude and latitude will be naturally or by database
manipulations be divided into 8 Location Sections starting
a Location Database Reference Number. For example, trunwith 4 quadrants determined by the Northern or Southern
cated longitude number 8430 is appended to truncated
Hemisphere and by Longitude degrees being measured East
latitude number 3417 to become Location Database Referor West of Zero Degrees from Greenwich England. Each of
ence Number 34178430 which is also the new record
number for that selected database record. All records in The 40 these quadrants is then further partitioned into two sections,
the first containing Longitude Degrees from 00.0000 to
Standard Geographic Location Data 123 are translated in the
99.9999 and the other containing Longitude Degrees from
same manor creating a Location Database Reference Num100.0000 to 180.0000. Each of the eight Location Sections
ber and record number for each record based upon the
contains translated Random Access Files containing records
latitude and longitude in it's data fields.
The Location Database Module 120, FIG. 21 has logic or 45 pertaining to that particular portion on the globe.
The GPS Search File Database Module 121, FIG. 21 has
data structures formulated into a Database File Name Devellogic or data structures formulated into an Incoming GPS
oper 125, FIG. 21. The Database File Name Developer 125
Signal Interface 130 in communication with the GPS Global
is in communication with the Location Data Translator 124.
Positioning Module 11, FIG. 1a. A Signal Translator 131 is
The Database File Name Developer 125, FIG. 21 retrieves
from memory the temporally stored translated longitude and 50 in communication with the Incoming GPS Signal Interface.
The Signal Translator 131 translates the incoming GPS data
latitude for a selected record. In this example, latitude is
in much the same way as the Location Database Module 120
3417.57 and longitude is 8430.27. The Database File Name
has translated the stored translated navigational records. A
Developer 125 further retrieves from memory the actual
GPS File Name Developer 132, similar to its counterpart the
location defined by the longitude and latitude for that record.
The location may, if desired, be a plurality of locations. For 55 Database File Name Developer 125 formulates a GPS
Search File Reference Number and from the GPS translated
example, a given longitude and latitude has more than one
navigational data derives a predetermined code to append
street location intersecting with another street location. All
thereto.
locations are retrieved from memory. From other Positional
The incoming GPS signal is translated into a unique
Information contained in the selected record, the Database
File Name Developer 125 formulates or constructs a prede- 60 navigational record containing data representing the type of
signal, latitude, longitude, hemisphere and rotation. The
termined code delineating degree size, rotation and hemiDatabase File Name Developer 125, FIG. 21 defines a
sphere. The predetermined code is appended to the Location
predetermined code derived from the selected GPS incomDatabase Reference Number and separated from this numing signal data and appends that code to the GPS Search File
ber by a decimal point creating a new Location Database
File Name. The predetermined code may, if desired, have 65 Reference Number creating a GPS Search File Name.
The Location Comparator-Indicator 122, FIG. 21 has
any place value or positional notation that is convenient. The
logic or data structures formulated into a Location and GPS
preferred embodiment of the present invention 10 selects

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File Name Comparator 133. The GPS File Name Comparain the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are
tor 133 compares the Location Database File Name to the
possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially
GPS Search File Name. In the previous example,
departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this
34178430.9EN (location Database File Name) is compared
invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended
to 34178430.9EN (GPS Search File Name). If no matching 5 to be included within the scope of this invention as defined
comparison is found the process is repeated every second
in the following claims, means-plus-function clause is
(data rate of the incoming GPS signal) until a comparison is
intended to cover the structures described herein as performfound.
ing the recited function and not only structural equivalents
but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a
When a matching comparison does occur between the
Location Database File Name and the GPS Search File 10 screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail
employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts
Name the process passes over to the Matched Location File
Record Scanner 134, FIG. 21.
together whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the
environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw
The Matched Location File Record Scanner opens the
Location Database File having the same matching name as
may be equivalent structures.
the GPS Search File and scans all the data in each record 15
I claim:
contained in the file looking for a match between the data it
1. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
contains and the data contained in the current or anticipated
locations, the apparatus having a controller with a memory
GPS Location Data Fields. If no exact match occurs the
and a Global Positioning System transmitting navigational
above discussed process repeats at the one second repetition
data, the memory having stored therein a plurality of data
20 structures formulated into instruction modules to direct the
rate of the incoming GPS signal.
functioning of the controller comprising:
If a match does occur, a Location Indicator 135, FIG. 21
is in communication with the Matched Location File Record
a) an Incoming GPS Signal Interface receiving data from
Scanner 134 and may receive a logically true indicator. The
the Global Positioning System;
Location Indicator 135 is in communication with the Real
b) a Signal Translator in communication with said IncomTime Dynamic Scanning Database Module 25, FIG. 8 and 25
ing GPS Signal Interface;
provides a logically true indication thereto indicating a
c) said Signal Translator selectively transforming said
navigational location has been determined and any or all of
Incoming GPS Signal Interface data into a GPS Navithe Location Information contained in the Matched Record
gation Data;
may, if desired, be transmitted, displayed, or recorded as
d) a GPS File Name Developer deriving a predetermined
desired by the user of the present invention 10.
30
code from the received Global Positioning System data;
A logical flow of the determination of a match condition
e) a GPS Navigation Record formed by said GPS Naviexisting between the translated data fields contained in the
gation Data having said predetermined code appended
records in the Database File Name Developer 125, FIG. 21
thereto;
and the translated data fields created by the GPS File Name
f) a selectively translated Navigation Location Record;
Developer 132 begins with selectively formulating the Stan- 35
g) a Location Comparator-Indicator Module receiving
dard Geographic Location Data 136, FIG. 22. The formusaid GPS Navigation Record and said Navigation Localated data from the Standard Geographic Location Data 136
tion Record;
is translated into eight data fields 150, FIG. 23 by the
h) a Navigational Location Indicator derived from said
Location Data Translator 137. Each data field contains data
Location Comparator-Indicator Module's comparison
pertinent to navigational positioning or location. The data 40
of said GPS Navigation Record and said Navigational
content as delineated above: Field-I, 142, FIG. 23 contains
Location Record;
the record number data; Field-2, 143, contains latitude data;
whereby said Navigational Location Indicator is stored in
Field-3, 144, contains longitude data; Field-4, 145, contains
memory as the geographical location.
location-1 data; Field-5, 146, contains location-2 data; Field2. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
6, 147, contains degree size data; Field-7, 148, contains
45 locations, the apparatus having a controller with a memory
rotation data; and Field-8, 149, contains hemisphere data.
and a Global Positioning System, the memory having stored
The data fields 150 are processed and stored in memory by
therein a plurality of data structures formulated into instructhe Location Data Translator 137.
tion modules to direct the functioning of the controller
The Incoming GPS Signal 142, FIG. 22 is translated and
comprising:
temporarily stored in the same or like manner as the Stan- 50
a) a GPS Search File Database Module in communication
dard Geographic Location Translator 137 by the GPS Data
with the Global Positioning System;
Translator 143. The translated GPS data is formulated into
b) said GPS Search File Database Module receiving
a GPS file name by the GPS Data File Name Developer 144
navigational data from said Global Positioning System;
and the predetermined code is derived and appended thereto.
c) said GPS Search File Database Module selectively
The location data file name is compared to the GPS data file 55
translating said received navigational data into a GPS
name and if a match occurs 139 all the records contained in
Navigational Location data structure;
that file are scanned. The exact location data contained in the
d) a Location Database Module having stored therein at
above discussed data fields 150 is for each scanned record
least one selectively translated Navigational Location
analyzed for exact or anticipated data comparison with the
data structure;
received and translated GPS data 140. If the match is true, 60
a Location Indicator 141 is generated and is transmitted to
e) a Location Comparator-Indicator Module in commuthe Real Time Dynamic Scanning Database Module 25 for
nication with said Navigational Location Database
further processing. If no exact match occurs the above
Module and said GPS Search File Database Module;
discussed process repeats at the one second repetition rate of
f) said Location Comparator-Indicator Module deriving a
the incoming GPS signal.
65
Navigational Location Indicator data structure from
Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this
said GPS Navigational Location data structure and said
invention have been described in detail above, those skilled
Navigational Location data structure;

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whereby said Navigational Location Indicator data structure
Location Indicator data structure contains translated geois stored in memory as the geographical location.
graphical data corresponding to the match between GPS
3. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
Navigational Location data structure and said Navigational
locations as recited in claim 2 wherein said selectively
Location data structure.
translated Navigational Location data structure further com- 5
20. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
prising a predetermined code appended thereto.
locations as recited in claim 2 wherein said Navigational
4. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
Location Indicator data structure is a present geographical
locations as recited in claim 3 wherein said GPS Navigalocation.
tional Location data structure comprises a plurality of trans21. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
lated delimited data fields.
10 locations as recited in claim 2 wherein said Navigational
5. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
Location Indicator data structure is a projected geographical
locations as recited in claim 4 wherein said GPS Navigalocation.
tional Location data structure's translated delimited data
22. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
fields comprise a first field containing Signal Type data.
locations as recited in claim 2 wherein said GPS Search File
6. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
locations as recited in claim 5 wherein said GPS Naviga- 15 Database Module selectively translating data fields one,
four, five, six, and seven from said received navigational
tional Location data structure's translated delimited data
data into a GPS Navigational Location data structure.
fields comprise a second field containing Latitude data.
23. A method for automatic generation of geographical
7. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
locations via a controller with a memory and a Global
locations as recited in claim 6 wherein said GPS Navigational Location data structure's translated delimited data 20 Positioning System, the memory having stored therein a
plurality of data structures formulated into instruction modfields comprise a third field containing Hemisphere data.
ules to direct the functioning of the controller comprising the
8. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
locations as recited in claim 7 wherein said GPS Navigasteps:
tional Location data structure's translated delimited data
a) establishing communication between a GPS Search
25
fields comprise a fourth field containing Longitude data.
File Database Module and the Global Positioning Sys9. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
tem;
locations as recited in claim 8 wherein said GPS Navigab) receiving navigational data from the Global Positioning
tional Location data structure's translated delimited data
System via said GPS Search File Database Module;
fields comprise a fifth field containing Rotation data.
c) translating selected said received navigational data into
10. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical 30
at least one GPS Navigation Location data structure;
locations as recited in claim 9 wherein said translated
d) selecting a translated Navigational Location data strucNavigational Location data structure comprises a plurality of
ture from memory;
translated delimited data fields.
11. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
e) comparing said Navigational Location data structure
and said GPS Navigational Location's data structure
locations as recited in claim 10 wherein said Navigational 35
Location data structure's translated delimited data fields
via a Location Comparator-Indicator Module;
comprise a first field containing Record Number data.
f) deriving a Navigational Location Indicator's data struc12. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
ture via Location Comparator-Indicator Module's comlocations as recited in claim 22 wherein said Navigational
parison of said Navigational Location data structure
Location data structure's translated delimited data fields 40
and said GPS Navigational Location data structure;
comprise a second field containing Latitude data.
whereby said Navigational Location Indicator's data struc13. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
ture is stored in memory as the geographical location.
locations as recited in claim 12 wherein said Navigational
24. A method for automatic generation of geographical
Location data structure's translated delimited data fields
locations as recited in claim 23 wherein the step of transcomprise a third field containing Longitude data.
45 lating selected said received navigational data into at least
14. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
one said GPS Navigational Location Data Structure comlocations as recited in claim 13 wherein said Navigational
prises the steps:
Location data structure's translated delimited data fields
a) selecting latitude data from said received navigational
comprise a fourth field containing Location One data.
data;
15. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical 50
b) converting said selected latitude data into decimal
locations as recited in claim 14 wherein said Navigational
degrees;
Location data structure's translated delimited data fields
c) translating said converted latitude data into GPS Transcomprise a fifth field containing Location Two data.
lated Latitude data;
16. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
locations as recited in claim 15 wherein said Navigational 55
d) selecting longitudinal data from said received navigaLocation data structure's translated delimited data fields
tional data;
comprise a sixth field containing Degree Size data.
e) converting said selected longitudinal data into decimal
17. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
degrees;
locations as recited in claim 16 wherein said Navigational
f) translating said converted longitudinal data into GPS
Location data structure's translated delimited data fields 60
Translated Longitudinal data
comprise a seventh field containing Rotation data.
g) appending said GPS Translated Longitudinal data to
18. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
said GPS Translated Latitude data;
locations as recited in claim 17 wherein said Navigational
h) selecting navigation positional data from said received
Location data structure's translated delimited data fields
navigational data;
65
comprise an eighth field containing Hemisphere data.
19. An apparatus for automatic generation of geographical
i) translating said selected navigation positional data into
locations as recited in claim 18 wherein said Navigational
a selected predetermined code; and

US 6,442,485 B2

23
j) appending said predetermined code to said appended
GPS Translated Longitudinal data and said GPS Translated Latitude data.
25. A method for automatic generation of geographical
locations as recited in claim 24 further comprising the steps:
a) providing global GPS navigational data;
b) translating said provided global GPS navigational data
into at least one said Navigational Location data structure;
c) storing said translated Navigational Location data
structure in memory.
26. A method for automatic generation of geographical
locations as recited in claim 25 wherein the step of translating said provided global GPS data into at least one said
Navigational Location data structure comprises the steps
a) selecting latitude data from said provided global GPS
navigational data;
b) converting said selected latitude data into decimal
degrees;
c) translating said converted latitude data into GPS Translated Latitude data;
d) selecting longitudinal data from said provided global
GPS navigational data;
e) converting said selected longitudinal data into decimal
degrees;
t) translating said converted longitudinal data into GPS
Translated Longitudinal data;
g) appending said GPS Translated Longitudinal data to
said GPS Translated Latitude data;
h) selecting navigation positional data from said provided
global GPS navigational data;

24
i) translating said selected navigation positional data into
a selected predetermined code; and

5

j) appending said predetermined code to said appended
GPS Translated Longitudinal data and said GPS Translated Latitude data.
27. An article of manufacture comprising:

10

a) a computer usable medium having computer readable
program code means embodied therein for causing a
response to a global positioning system's navigational
signal, said computer readable program code means in
the article of manufacture comprising:

15

b) computer readable program code means for causing a
computer to selectively translate said global positioning system's navigational signal;

20

25

30

c) computer readable program code means for causing a
computer to selectively translate navigational position
derived from selected global positioning data;
d) computer readable program code means for causing a
computer to compare said global positioning system's
navigational signal and said selectively translated navigational position derived from selected global positioning data; and
e) computer readable program code means for causing a
computer to indicate a logically true condition exist
between said global positioning system's navigational
signal and said selectively translated navigational position derived from selected global positioning data.

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