AU2017201639A1 - A Location System and Method of Location - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a location determining system and a method of location. According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises: sending a text message to a portable device, the message being constructed to have a search identification and an activation code for activating a process in the portable device so that the portable device can start a process upon acceptance by a user of the portable device, which: requests a web-service, provides the search identification to the web-service, uses a location determining device of the mobile device to determine the location of the mobile device and returns the location via the web-service; receiving a request for the web-service from the portable device and establishing a web-based connection between the portable device and a processor. (.0 CMj - /a/t~//4'//A% 6c ' ~X'~%~ 'L Y 'A '.4 c x0 Z F) Al V-

Description

2017201639 09 Mar 2017 1 A Location System and Method of Location

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to location of a person. In particular the present invention relates to locating a person whose exact whereabouts is unknown to a searcher, which has particular application, although it is not exclusively for use with, search and rescue operations.

Background [0002] Unfortunately people go missing all the time. Sometimes they are missing simply because their whereabouts is unknown to, for example a friend or relative, and sometimes they are missing because of getting lost or falling victim to an accident. Considerable resources are expended by search and rescue agencies to find missing persons.

[0003] Nowadays most people carry smart phones. Smart phones comprise a computer that is able to connect to the Internet via a mobile telephone (cell-phone) data network. A smart phone also has location determining devices, such as global positioning satellite systems that are able to locate the device. However the person carrying the mobile device may not realise that they are missing to people that are searching for them. Further, even if they are able to determine their location on a map application running on the smart phone does not mean they are able to find their way if they are lost. Furthermore still, if they are injured they may not be able to assist search and rescue agencies find and/or get to them. So while it might seem as though the person carrying a mobile device should never actually be lost, in practice, often this is not the case. Indeed many calls for search and rescue assistance are from the missing person using their smart phone.

[0004] The present invention has been developed in order to assist a search and rescue agency locate a missing person, although the present invention can have applicability beyond this particular application.

[0005] Any references to documents that are made in this specification are not intended to be an admission that the information contained in those documents form part of the common general knowledge known to a person skilled in the field of the invention, unless explicitly stated as such. 2017201639 09 Mar 2017 2

Summary of the Invention [0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is a location determining system comprising a processor configured to send a text message to a portable device, the message comprising a search identification and an activation code for activating a process in the portable device; wherein the portable device is configured to recognise the activation code and to start the process upon acceptance by a user of the portable device; wherein the process is configured to: request a web-service from the processor based on the text message, provide the search identification to the processor via the web-service, download instructions from the processor via the web-service for the portable device to execute, and to execute the instructions; wherein the processor is further configured to provide the web-service when initiated by the portable device by the activation of the process, wherein the web-service comprises a web-based connection between the portable device and the processor; wherein the instructions comprise commands for the portable device to obtain the location from a location determining device of the portable device and return the location to the processor via the web-service; wherein the processor is further configured to receive the search identification and to associate the returned location with search identification, thereby providing the location of the portable device; wherein the web-based connection enables the portable device to receive communications generated by the processor.

[0007] In an embodiment the instructions comprise further commands for the portable device to periodically obtain an updated location of the portable device from location determining device of the portable device and return the updated location to the processor via the web-service.

[0008] In an embodiment the processor is further configured to receive the returned periodically updated location thereby providing the tracking of the location of the portable device.

[0009] In an embodiment the system further comprises an interface to a short message service, wherein the text message is sent to the portable device via the short message service. 2017201639 09 Mar 2017 3 [0010] In an embodiment the activation code is a uniform resource identifier (URI) pointing to a website hosted by the processor, wherein the URI includes the search identification.

[0011] In an embodiment the process is a web-browser capable of receiving and executing the instructions and also capable of interfacing with the location determining device of the portable device so as to obtain the location and to transmit the location via the web-service to the website.

[0012] In an embodiment the website is configured to display the location to a user of the portable device and to display a message from a search coordinator.

[0013] In an embodiment the search identification is a unique identifier. In an embodiment the search identification is associated with a telephone number of mobile device. In an embodiment the text message is sent to the mobile phone number associated with the search identifier.

[0014] In an embodiment of the location is displayed to search personnel. In an embodiment the location is overlayed on a map of the area in which the person is located. In an embodiment the map is used to coordinate search and/or rescue personnel. In an embodiment the map is used to mark clues of the missing person.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is a location determining system comprising a processor configured to send a text message to a portable device, the message being constructed to have a search identification and an activation code for activating a process in the portable device upon acceptance by a user of the portable device, which will: request a web-service from the processor, provide the search identification to the processor via the web-service, use a location determining device of the mobile device to determine the location of the mobile device and send the location to the processor via the web-service; wherein the processor is further configured to provide the web-service, wherein the web-service comprises a web-based connection between the portable device and the processor when initiated by the portable device by the activation of the process; wherein the instructions comprise commands for the portable device to obtain the location from the location determining device of the portable device and return the location to the processor via the web-service; wherein the processor is further configured to receive the search identification and to 2017201639 09 Mar 2017 4 associate the returned location with search code, whereby providing the location of the portable device; wherein the web-based connection enables the portable device to receive communications generated by the processor.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is a method of location comprising: sending a text message to a portable device, the message being constructed to have a search identification and an activation code for activating a process in the portable device; recognising, by the portable device, that the activation code in the text message is a command to start a process; starting the process in the portable device upon acceptance by a user of the portable device, which: requests a web-service, provides the search identification to the web-service, downloads instructions from the web-service for the portable device to execute, and executes the instructions; wherein the requesting the web-service comprises establishing a web-based connection between the portable device and a processor; obtaining a location of the portable device from a location determining device of the portable device and return the location to the processor via the web-service; receiving the search identification and the returned location and associating it with the search identification, whereby the location of the portable device is determined; and enabling the portable device to receive communications generated by the processor.

[0017] In an embodiment the portable device periodically obtains an updated location of the portable device from the location determining device of the portable device and returns the updated location to the processor via the web-service.

[0018] In an embodiment the returned periodically updated location is received by the processor and the method further comprises tracking of the location of the portable device.

[0019] In an embodiment the text message is sent via a short message service to the portable device.

[0020] In an embodiment the location is displayed to a user of the portable device. In an embodiment a message from a search coordinator is displayed to the user.

[0021] In an embodiment search and or rescue assets can be given commands to reach the user. 2017201639 09 Mar 2017 5 [0022] In an embodiment the method further comprises associating the search identification with a mobile telephone (cell-phone) number.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is a method of location comprising: sending a text message to a portable device, the message being constructed to have a search identification and an activation code for activating a process in the portable device so that the portable device can start a process upon acceptance by a user of the portable device, which: requests a web-service, provides the search identification to the web-service, uses a location determining device of the mobile device to determine the location of the mobile device and returns the location via the web-service; receiving a request for the web-service from the portable device and establishing a web-based connection between the portable device and a processor; receiving the location of the portable device obtained from the location determining device of the portable device via the web-service; receiving the search identification and the returned location, whereby the location of the portable device is determined; and enabling the portable device to receive communications generated by the processor.

[0024] Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Description of Drawings [0025] In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for determining a location;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a method of locating a missing person;

Figure 3 is a screenshot of a window showing a location management system interface; Figure 4 is a screenshot of a window for creating a new search drop;

Figure 5 is a screenshot of a window showing a search operation using the location management interface;

Figure 6 is a screen shot of a window showing a text message to be sent to a portable device of a missing person;

Figure 7 is a screenshot of a website browser window of on the portable device; and 2017201639 09 Mar 2017 6

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing components of a search system server.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention [0026] Figure 1 shows a location determining system 10 which comprises a search system server 12, a search and rescue service computer terminal 14 operated by a search and rescue coordinator 16, a message gateway 18, a portable device 20 of a person to be located and a network connection 22 (typically the Internet) between the portable device 20 and the server 12.

[0027] The server 12 comprises a search and rescue web service application and database as will be described in more detail below. In an embodiment the message gateway 18 is a short message service (SMS) gateway, which is either directly accessed by the server 12 or accessed via the Internet 22.

[0028] Now also referring to Figure 2, there is a location method 100, which starts by a missing person being reported at 102. The missing person is reporting in the normal manner, such as by a friend for relative or by the person that is missing / lost or in need of rescue, or by other means. This report is received by a search and rescue coordinator 16. The search and rescue coordinator 16 creates the search and rescue job 104 by entering details into the search and rescue web service application displayed on the terminal 14. This process will be described in further detail below. Creation of the job using the present invention requires knowing the missing person’s mobile telephone number and entering it into the application. Once the job is created, a text message is sent by the server 12 using the gateway 18 to the mobile telephone number at 106. The text message is crafted in a way that it contains a URI pointing to a website. This will be explained in more detail further below. The person to which the text message is sent is referred to as a missing person for convenience, even though they may not be missing. For example a person (such as hiker) is injured and in need of rescue (for example they have broken their leg), but may not be missing as such.

[0029] The missing person receives the text message at the mobile device 20 via the mobile telephone network in the normal manner. The URI containing the text message is able to be interpreted by the mobile phone’s operating system as a hyperlink to the website which can be clicked on to activate a process, namely the mobile phone’s web browser which can open the website in the web browser. The missing person can therefore accept a query as to their location at 108 and by activation of the website, this will allow the mobile device 20 to receive instructions from the server 12 to activate the mobile phone’s location determining 2017201639 09 Mar 2017 7 devices and to send the location as determined by the mobile phone’s location determining devices to the server 12, via the Internet 22. Included in the URI is a search job number which is associated with the mobile telephone number. This is used so that the search is unique by use of a unique job identification (which the mobile telephone number may not be unique) and so that the returned location is known to be from that particular phone for that particular job. When the location has been received the job can be updated at 112 with the location received from person’s mobile device.

[0030] It is noted that in one embodiment the phone 20 may be configured such that upon receipt of the text message the phone 20 may automatically open the website on the browser without needing to have the user select the hyperlink. The website may be active by the phone recognising the URI as from a search and rescue agency, by for example inclusion of a code, or by the URI including a domain name reserved for the agency and or for this purpose.

[0031] In an embodiment and if required, a search and rescue zone can be determined by the search and rescue coordinator 16 and is recorded in the system at 114. Search and rescue personnel can then be dispatched at 116 by the coordinator 16 so that the person can be found and or rescued, if there is such a need. Once the search and rescue operation is concluded, the search and rescue job can be closed at 118. This process may be conducting a plurality of times in parallel according to the number of missing persons in need of location.

[0032] Referring to Figure 8, the server 12 comprises components 300 including a processor 302, database 304, network interface 306 and a memory/storage 308. The memory/storage 308 is for storing working data and operating instructions. The storage 308 may be in the form of non-volatile solid state memory, a hard disk drive or on-line network storage (cloud storage). The database 304 may be stored on the storage 308. It may be stored in the form of a database of records which provide information to the processor 302, and may be updated by the processor 302. The processor 302 may comprise one or more physical, logical or virtual CPUs and is for executing the operating instructions so as to control the components 300 to operate as the system 12.

[0033] The processor 302 may be configured by operating instructions to operate as a message service interface module 310, a search and rescue user application module 312 and one or more missing person interface module instances 314. The user application module 312 may be in the form of a web server which allows interaction with the user 16 via the computer terminal 14. In one embodiment the missing person interface module 314 2017201639 09 Mar 2017 8 interacts with all of the missing persons’ devices by creating a respective webpage for each of them. In another embodiment the module 314 creates a respective website instance for interaction with the respective device 20 for the duration of the respective job.

[0034] The network interface 306 is for communication with one or more other devices, including gateway 18, computer terminal 14 and the mobile device 20 over the Internet 22. The network interface 306 connects to the Internet 22. The network interface 306 can either connect directly with the SMS gateway 18 or it can connect with the SMS gateway 18 via the Internet 22. The message service interface 310 sends the text message to the SMS gateway 18 over a communications channel 320. The search and rescue computer terminal 14 is able to interact with the search and rescue application 312 via a web-service communications channel 322 established via the Internet 22 and network interface 306. The respective missing person application instance 314 allows mobile device 20 to receive the website page pointed to by the URI, which includes code to acquire the location of the device and return it to the interface 314 via a web-service communications channel 324 established via the Internet 22 and network interface 306. This webpage is dynamically created for that specific job by the respective instance.

[0035] The search and rescue application 312 is able to cause the creation of missing person application interface instances 314. Messages 328 are passed between the application 312 and interfaces 314. The application 312 is also able to send a message 326 to the message service interface 310 to cause it to send of a text message to the mobile device 20.

[0036] The missing person application interface instances 314 are able to receive a webpage request from the mobile device 20 and information from the device 20 via a web-service communications channel 324 established via the Internet 22 and network interface 306. The device 20 is connected to the internet 22 via a telephone date network 330.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a search and rescue application interface window 202 created by the search and rescue application 312 and provided to the terminal 14. The application runs on the server 12 and is presented to the terminal 14 as a web interface via a browser 200 running on the computer 14. In the window 202 is a map 204. On the map 204 rescue personnel 206A, 206B and 206C are shown at their geographic locations. The map 204 also shows active search jobs 208A, 208B 208C and their location on the map. The search and rescue coordinator 16 can therefore have an overall plan view of where search and rescue resources are, where the jobs are, and can manage the deployment of resources in relation to the respective jobs according to the required priorities of those jobs. 2017201639 09 Mar 2017 9 [0038] The window 202 also has a summary table 210 which shows each job with information about the job. For example the name of the missing person is displayed, their last known location, a description of the search and rescue job status and the local search and rescue coordinator. When a new job is received the create new job button 212 can be selected to open a new search and rescue job window as seen in Figure 4.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a window of the browser 200 in which details of the job can be entered. Such details may include the last known location of the missing person, their last known location’s latitude and longitude, a requester name (which may be the name of the person that reported the person missing), the mobile phone number of the missing person and a description of the job.

[0040] Figure 5 shows a window 230 in the browser 200 of an active job. This window 230 may be opened by selection of one of the jobs 208A, 208B or 208C from window 202 of Figure 3. The window comprises a map 204. The map view is zoomed into the respective job location relative to that of Figure 3. The positions of search and rescue personnel 206A, 206B and 206C are displayed on the map 204. There may be clues that are available about the location of the person. The location at which that clue was found 232 may be entered and displayed on the map 204 at locations 232. A clue may be for example be a campsite, a discarded a piece of rubbish, a found personal item, a message or any number of other clues that may be useful in determining the location of the missing person. Based on these clues a search area 234 may be defined. However with the present invention the location of the missing person’s phone can be determined, as described above. The location of the phone may be tracked by the website opened in the mobile device 20 obtaining and returning the location. The updates to the location can be displayed on the map 204, as indicated by 236, with the missing person’s current location 238 being displayed. Based on this more accurate information, the search area 234 may be adjusted, or it may be positioned so as to intercept the missing person.

[0041] This window 230 also includes information about the missing person 240, including details about the location determined by the system 10. The missing person’s current location can be actively sought by the coordinator 16 selecting button 242 which can send a further SMS message, or if the website is still open in the browser, by the application 328 requesting this though the browser. There is also a button 244 which may be used to send a non-location message, either through the open web-site or by further SMS message (or both) which may be to reassure the missing person that help is on the way or that they should proceed in a particular direction or whatever might be useful to provide as a message 2017201639 09 Mar 2017 10 in order to assist in their in the search and rescue operation. Tracking of the search and rescue operation can occur by use of tabs 252, each of which open a window 254 for entry of information such as: events that have occurred, communications that have occurred with the missing person, other notes and team members allocated to the operation.

[0042] Figure 6 shows a window displaying a location request text message 262. This message can be sent by activation of button 264. The message window 262 includes a greeting and explanation as well as a URI 266. URI comprises a service scheme identifier, in this case secure hypertext transfer protocol (“https”), a separator the location of the remote resource, which in this case is the location web service as a host of the resource, and a further piece of information comprising the job number which is the identifier of the search and rescue job. This allows the web service established when the URI is activated in the web browser to point to the web service for this particular job and thus it serves to identify the job. The web service will have recorded an association between this job number and the mobile phone to which is sent and thus when the location is received, the location can be associated with the job number. Thus the location of that particular device can then be determined by virtue of that information and those associations.

[0043] Figure 7 shows a web page 270 opened by activation of the URI 266. The webpage is served by a web server of the server 12. It may include logo 272 and message 274, such as that of the search and rescue agency so as to provide an assurance of the credibility of the service and authenticity of the message to the person, since they may not have known about this service before. The webpage 270 includes instructions to the device query the location devices of the portable device so as to determine its location and to send the determined location to the web server. The determined location may be returned and displayed at 276, or it may be automatically directly displayed by the web page. The location can be updated by the user occur when the button 278 is depressed. Also a message window may be provided to allow the missing person to communicate directly with the search and result coordinator, via the webpage. This allows the user to share their location and relevant details, for example the nature of any injuries, with the search and rescue service. This may allow for privacy concerns that person may have about the sharing of their location with another person, if they do not wish to be found.

[0044] User application interface 312 generates the windows described above. In particular it will access the database 304 to store or retrieve information. Some information may be obtained from the Internet 22. For example the map 204 may be provided by a mapping 2017201639 09 Mar 2017 11 service such as Google which is overlaid by information specific to this application which is obtained from and stored in the database 304. Job details are stored in the database 304.

[0045] The present invention provides an advantage over the prior art in that it does not require a specific application to be installed and run on the mobile device because a text message service and web browser available on all modern mobile phones are part of their operating systems. Determining the location of the device can be initiated by the location service, such as a search and rescue agency. The location of the person can be determined by an independent authority in the form of the search and rescue agency and if the missing person does not wish to be found by another person then the agency can report that the person is not missing and does not wish to have their location divulged. Once located search and rescue resources can be directed in the most appropriate manner by the agency, if required.

[0046] Modifications may be made to the present invention within the context of that described and shown in the drawings. Such modifications are intended to form part of the invention described in this specification.

Claims (24)

1. Claims

   1. A location determining system comprising a processor configured to send a text message to a portable device, the message comprising a search identification and an activation code for activating a process in the portable device; wherein the portable device is configured to recognise the activation code and to start the process upon acceptance by a user of the portable device; wherein the process is configured to: request a web-service from the processor based on the text message, provide the search identification to the processor via the web-service, download instructions from the processor via the web-service for the portable device to execute, and to execute the instructions; wherein the processor is further configured to provide the web-service when initiated by the portable device by the activation of the process, wherein the web-service comprises a web-based connection between the portable device and the processor; wherein the instructions comprise commands for the portable device to obtain the location from a location determining device of the portable device and return the location to the processor via the web-service; wherein the processor is further configured to receive the search identification and to associate the returned location with search identification, thereby providing the location of the portable device; wherein the web-based connection enables the portable device to receive communications generated by the processor.
2. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the instructions comprise further commands for the portable device to periodically obtain an updated location of the portable device from location determining device of the portable device and return the updated location to the processor via the web-service.
3. 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor is further configured to receive the returned periodically updated location thereby providing the tracking of the location of the portable device.
4. 4. A system according to any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein the system further comprises an interface to a short message service, wherein the text message is sent to the portable device via the short message service.
5. 5. A system according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein the activation code is a uniform resource identifier (URI) pointing to a website hosted by the processor, wherein the URI includes the search identification.
6. 6. A system according to any one of claim 1 to 5, wherein the process is a web-browser capable of receiving and executing the instructions and also capable of interfacing with the location determining device of the portable device so as to obtain the location and to transmit the location via the web-service to the website.
7. 7. A system according to any one of claim 1 to 6, wherein the website is configured to display the location to a user of the portable device and to display a message from a search coordinator.
8. 8. A system according to any one of claim 1 to 7, wherein the search identification is a unique identifier.
9. 9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the search identification is associated with a telephone number of mobile device.
10. 10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the text message is sent to the mobile phone number associated with the search identifier.
11. 11. A system according to any one of claim 1 to 10, wherein the location is displayed to search personnel.
12. 12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the location is overlayed on a map of the area in which the person is located.
13. 13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the map is used to coordinate search and/or rescue assets.
14. 14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the map is used to mark clues of the missing person.
15. 15. A location determining system comprising a processor configured to send a text message to a portable device, the message being constructed to have a search identification and an activation code for activating a process in the portable device upon acceptance by a user of the portable device, which will: request a web-service from the processor, provide the search identification to the processor via the web-service, use a location determining device of the mobile device to determine the location of the mobile device and send the location to the processor via the web-service; wherein the processor is further configured to provide the web-service, wherein the web-service comprises a web-based connection between the portable device and the processor when initiated by the portable device by the activation of the process; wherein the instructions comprise commands for the portable device to obtain the location from the location determining device of the portable device and return the location to the processor via the web-service; wherein the processor is further configured to receive the search identification and to associate the returned location with search code, whereby providing the location of the portable device; wherein the web-based connection enables the portable device to receive communications generated by the processor.
16. 16. A method of location comprising: sending a text message to a portable device, the message being constructed to have a search identification and an activation code for activating a process in the portable device; recognising, by the portable device, that the activation code in the text message is a command to start a process; starting the process in the portable device upon acceptance by a user of the portable device, which: requests a web-service, provides the search identification to the web-service, downloads instructions from the web-service for the portable device to execute, and executes the instructions; wherein the requesting the web-service comprises establishing a web-based connection between the portable device and a processor; obtaining a location of the portable device from a location determining device of the portable device and return the location to the processor via the web-service; receiving the search identification and the returned location and associating it with the search identification, whereby the location of the portable device is determined; and enabling the portable device to receive communications generated by the processor.
17. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the portable device periodically obtains an updated location of the portable device from the location determining device of the portable device and returns the updated location to the processor via the web-service.
18. 18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the returned periodically updated location is received by the processor and the method further comprises tracking of the location of the portable device.
19. 19. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the text message is sent via a short message service to the portable device.
20. 20. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the location is displayed to a user of the portable device.
21. 21. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein a message from a search coordinator is displayed to the user.
22. 22. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein search and or rescue assets can be given commands to reach the user.
23. 23. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the method further comprises associating the search identification with a mobile telephone (cell-phone) number.
24. 24. A method of location comprising: sending a text message to a portable device, the message being constructed to have a search identification and an activation code for activating a process in the portable device so that the portable device can start a process upon acceptance by a user of the portable device, which: requests a web-service, provides the search identification to the web-service, uses a location determining device of the mobile device to determine the location of the mobile device and returns the location via the web-service; receiving a request for the web-service from the portable device and establishing a web-based connection between the portable device and a processor; receiving the location of the portable device obtained from the location determining device of the portable device via the web-service; receiving the search identification and the returned location, whereby the location of the portable device is determined; and enabling the portable device to receive communications generated by the processor.