WO2010023451A1

WO2010023451A1 - Locating apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2010023451A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/002082
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Rhys Heaword; Michael Chun Ling Cheung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-27
Filing date: 2009-08-27
Publication date: 2010-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2011-02-27

Abstract

Locating apparatus (10) includes a portable transmitter receiver (12) which in use is carried by a first user (50). The portable transmitter receiver (12) is arranged to receive position signals (18) from a satellite positioning system (14). The transmitter receiver (12) includes a processor (24) which processes the position signals (18) to derive a location code (40) which is associated with the position of the first user (50). The apparatus includes a storage location (20) remote from the first user (50), and the apparatus is arranged to transmit the location code (40) from the portable transmitter receiver (12) to the storage location (20) via a satellite (44).

Description

Locating Apparatus

The present invention relates to locating apparatus.

It is known to provide locating apparatus which receives positioning signals from positioning system satellites to determine the location of a user. It is known to incorporate such apparatus into tracking or locating devices which provide location information signals to remote users via a mobile telephone network. However the coverage of the mobile telephone network is patchy and in remote locations it may not be possible for the user to receive the location information. In sensitive situations, such as military situations or for example tracking young children, mobile phone networks may not be regarded as sufficiently secure.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided locating apparatus, the apparatus including a portable transmitter receiver which in use is carried by a first user and which is arranged to receive position signals from a satellite positioning system, the transmitter receiver including a processor which processes the position signals to derive a location code which is associated with the position of the first user, the apparatus including a storage location remote from the first user, the apparatus arranged to transmit the location code from the portable transmitter receiver to the storage location via a satellite.

The satellite may form part of the satellite positioning system, or the satellite may form part of another satellite system, which may be a low earth orbit satellite system, and may be a communications satellite system.

Possibly the storage location is arranged to permit access to the location code by a second user, who may be remote from the first user. Possibly the apparatus includes a remote user processor for accessing the storage location. Possibly the remote user processor is controlled by the second user.

Possibly the portable transmitter receiver processor includes an encryptor, so that the location code is in an encrypted form. Possibly the user processor includes a decryptor for decrypting the location code.

The apparatus may include a ground station, and the satellite may transmit the location code to the ground station. The ground station may transmit the code to the storage location.

The storage location may include an internet server computer, which may be arranged to display the location code on a website.

Possibly the portable transmitter receiver is arranged to receive the position signals on an intermittent basis, and may receive the signals at regular intervals. The intervals may be predetermined. The portable transmitter receiver may be arranged to receive the position signals in response to an input by the first user. The portable transmitter receiver may be arranged to receive the position signals over a predefined time period. The time period may be less than 5 minutes, and may be less than 2 minutes.

Possibly the portable transmitter receiver is arranged to transmit the location code to the storage location over a predefined time period. Possibly the time period is less than one minute, and may be less than 30 seconds.

Possibly, the location code is arranged to be transmitted in discrete packets. The processor may include a communications processor, and may include a buffer, which may separately or together provide an upload signal to the satellite in the form of the packets. Possibly, the locating apparatus includes an item, and the portable transmitter receiver is associated with or comprised within the item. The item may be an electronic device, which may carry information, and may include memory storage, and may be a portable computer such as a laptop computer. The portable transmitter receiver may be located within the item, and may not be visible to an unauthorised user of the item.

Possibly, the portable transmitter receiver includes a secondary transmitter receiver for communication with a telecommunication network. The telecommunication network may be a mobile telecommunication network.

Possibly, the locating apparatus includes a controller, which may be programmable with a set of instructions. The controller may include data storage. The set of instructions may include a disable/destruct routine. Possibly, the disable/destruct routine may be arranged to disable or destroy the controller and/or the data storage on receipt of a disable/destroy signal.

Possibly, the locating apparatus includes a secondary transmitter receiver for communication between the controller and a telecommunication network. The telecommunication network may be a mobile telecommunication network. The disable/destroy signal may be transmitted via the telecommunication network from a remote user to the disable/destruct routine.

Possibly, the locating apparatus includes a communication port to permit communication of signals between the internet or a global telecommunication computer network and the controller. The communication port may be a wireless connection. The disable/destroy signal may be stored on an internet server, and may be transmitted to the disable/destruct routine when a communication link is formed between the controller and the internet server. The locating apparatus may include a power store, which may be separate and independent of any power supply for powering the item. The power store of the locating item may receive power from the item power supply, but a supply controller may prevent power transmission from the locating apparatus power supply to the item power store.

Possibly the apparatus includes carrying apparatus for carrying the portable transmitter receiver by a person. The carrying apparatus may include an outer member which defines a first load space and an inner protection member which defines a second load space and which locates inside the first load space in use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided carrying apparatus, the apparatus including an outer member which defines a first load space and an inner protection member which defines a second load space and which locates inside the first load space in use.

Possibly the inner protection member is movable between an inserted position in which the inner protection member is fully within the first load space and an extracted position in which the inner protection member is at least partially outside the first load space.

The inner protection member may be formed of a relatively rigid material, which may be substantially resistant to shock forces. The outer member may be formed of a relatively flexible material.

The carrying apparatus may include guide means for guiding the movement of the inner protection member between the inserted and the extracted positions. The guide means may include at least one track formation and at least one engaging formation, which in use engages with the track formation. Possibly in use the engaging formation is in sliding engagement with the track formation. Possibly the track formation is mounted to the outer protection member, and the engaging formation is mounted to the inner protection member. Possibly the guide means include a plurality of track formations, and a plurality of engaging formations.

The carrying apparatus may be in the form of a rucksack, a holdall, a briefcase, a satchel or the like.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of locating a first user, the method including the steps of providing locating apparatus, the apparatus including a portable transmitter receiver which in use is carried by the first user and which is arranged to receive position signals from a satellite positioning system, the transmitter receiver including a processor which processes the position signals to derive a location code which is associated with the position of the first user, the apparatus including a storage location remote from the first user, the apparatus arranged to transmit the location code from the portable transmitter receiver to the storage location via a satellite.

Possibly the apparatus is as described in any of the preceding statements.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a portable transmitter receiver of a locating apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the locating apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the locating apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a side cross sectional view of carrying apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of carrying apparatus; Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of the carrying apparatus of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side sectional view of the carrying apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6;

Fig. 8 is a different side view of the carrying apparatus of Figs. 5 - 7;

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a portable transmitter receiver of another locating apparatus associated with an item;

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the locating apparatus of which the portable transmitter receiver shown in Fig 9 forms a part, the apparatus being shown in a locating phase;

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the locating apparatus of Figs 9 and 10 in a disable/destroy phase;

Fig. 12 is a schematic block diagram of the locating apparatus of Figs 9-11 in the disable/destroy phase;

Fig. 13 is a schematic view of a portable transmitter receiver of yet another locating apparatus;

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of the locating apparatus of which the portable transmitter receiver shown in Fig 13 forms a part; and

Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the portable transmitter receiver of Fig 13.

Figs 1 - 3 show locating apparatus 10, the locating apparatus 10 including a portable transmitter receiver 12, which is shown in Fig. 1. The portable transmitter receiver 12 includes a processor 16. The processor 16 includes a controller 22, a position signals processor 24, an encryptor 28, and an isolator 26. The processor 16 also includes a port 36, which could be in the form of a USB port.

The portable transmitter receiver 12 further includes a battery 30, which could be in the form of a lithium battery, a solar panel 32 and an antenna 34.

Referring to Fig. 2, the locating apparatus 10 includes a base station 48, which is in signal communication with a server computer 52, the server computer 52 forming part of a global communications network 54, which could be the internet. The locating apparatus 10 includes a remote user processor

56 and a decryptor 58.

In use, the portable transmitter receiver 12 is carried by a first user 50, who may be in a remote location such as the top of a mountain. The portable transmitter receiver 12 receives position signals 18 from a satellite positioning system 14, which could comprise a plurality of satellites located in a medium earth orbit. In this specification, a medium earth orbit is an orbit with an altitude above the earth's surface of between 2000 and 35790km. One example of such a satellite positioning system could be the NAVSTAR-GPS global positioning system.

In one example, the portable transmitter receiver could be carried in a carrying apparatus 60, which could be in the form of a rucksack carried on the user's back.

The position signals 18 are processed by the position signals processor 24 to derive a location code 40 which is associated with the position of the first user 50. The location code 40 is encrypted by the encryptor 28 to derive an encrypted location code 42. The portable transmitter receiver 12 could be arranged to receive the position signals 18 on an intermittent or periodic basis. Alternatively, the portable transmitter receiver 12 could be arranged to receive the position signals 18 in response to an input command or signal given by the first user 5 50. The portable transmitter receiver 12 could be arranged to receive the position signals 18 over a predetermined time period, which could be less than 5 minutes and optimally could be less than 2 minutes.

The encrypted location code 42 is transmitted in the form of an

I O encrypted location code signal 46A from the portable transmitter receiver 12 to a satellite 44, which could be part of the satellite positioning system 14. In an alternative example, the satellite 44 could be separate to the satellite positioning system 14.

15 The satellite 44 transmits an encrypted location code signal 46B to the ground station 48, which transmits an encrypted location code signal 46C to the server computer 52. The server computer 52 acts as a storage location 20, storing the encrypted location code 42. 0 A second user at the remote user processor 56 accesses the server computer 52 and transfers or downloads the encrypted location code 42 to the remote user processor 56 via an encrypted location code signal 46D. The encrypted location code 42 is decrypted by the decryptor 58, so that the location code 40 can be displayed to the second user at the remote user 5 processor 56. In the example in which the server computer 52 is an internet server, the encrypted location code 42 could be accessed via a website.

The location code 40 could be in the form of a grid reference or could include details of latitude and longitude or any other form of location 0 information. The location code 40 could include details of the time and date at which the location code 40 was derived. The remote user processor 56 could be arranged to store and display the changing location against time, and could include tracking software which tracks the changing location of the first user 50 over time.

There is thus provided locating apparatus which overcomes a number of disadvantages of known locating apparatus. The locating apparatus of the invention does not rely upon mobile telephone networks such as GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), which require line of sight with a plurality of local masts or receivers and only provide patchy coverage, particularly in remote areas. Also, the GSM network can be subject to overload in congested cells. The present invention utilises a satellite back channel which permits the transmission of the encrypted location code signal 46A from the portable transmitter receiver 12 to the satellite 44. Such channels are secure, have high capacity, and have significantly more extensive coverage of the earth's surface than the GSM network. Only one satellite 44 is required to receive the encrypted location code signal 46A.

In one example, the portable transmitter receiver 12 is arranged to transmit the encrypted location code signal 46A to the satellite 44 on an intermittent or periodic basis over a predefined time period. The time period could be less than 1 minute, and optimally could be less than 30 seconds. Thus, for example, the portable transmitter receiver 12 could transmit the encrypted location code signal 46A on a periodic basis of every 30 minutes, over a predefined time period of 30 seconds.

The intermittent use of the portable transmitter receiver 12 by the first user reduces the risk of detection of the location of the first user 50 by other parties. For example, in military applications, the first user 50 may wish to remain hidden, and the second user may wish to track the location of the first user without the first user 50 being detected by other parties who may be hostile to the first user 50. The use of periodic reception and transmission, and relatively short reception and transmission times, reduces the risk of detection of the first user 50. In another example, a parent or guardian may wish to track the location of a child, without the risk of the child's location being easily intercepted and discovered by other parties.

If a third party does detect any of the encrypted location code signals

46, the encryption of the location code 40 serves to either prevent the third party from discovering the location of the first user 50, or at least slows down the discovery of the location, since the location code 50 must be decrypted. By the time the decryption has taken place, the first user 50 is likely to have changed location.

The solar panel 32 provides power to the processor 16 and also to the battery 30, which stores energy to permit operation of the portable transmitter receiver 12 when the solar panel 32 is non operational.

In one example, the first user 50 is in a remote location, and the portable transmitter receiver 12 is set to receive the position signals 18 every 60 minutes and to transmit the encrypted location code signals 46 to the server computer 52 at corresponding intervals of 60 minutes. A second user can then log onto the internet to access the server computer 52 and download the present or most recent location details of the first user 50 to the remote user processor 56. If no encrypted location code signals 46 are received, or if the location code 40 remains stationery for a predetermined period of time, for example 48 hours, then the second user could take steps to arrange for emergency assistance to the first user 50.

In an alternative application, the first user 50 may be a school child, who may have a history of non attendance at school. The second user may be a parent or guardian who is able to track the location of the first user 50, so that appropriate action can be taken if the first user 50 is not at an appropriate location at specified times. Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of this embodiment of the invention. The processor 16 could be of any suitable type. The position signals processor could be of any suitable type. In one example, the position signals processor utilises an SiRF protocol. Alternatively the position signals processor could utilise an NMEA or MTK protocol. The solar panel 32 and battery 30 could be of any suitable type.

The storage location 20 could be at any suitable location. For example, the storage location 20 could be located adjacent to the ground station 48, and the ground station 48 could communicate the encrypted locating code signal 46 directly to the remote user processor 56, so that the server computer 52 and internet 54 are not required. However, one advantage of an apparatus 10 utilising the server computer 52 and the internet 54 is that the remote user processor 56 can be located wherever a convenient internet access port can be found.

The position signals 18 could be received from any suitable satellite positioning system. The encrypted locating code signal 46 could be transmitted to any suitable satellite 44. The predetermined cycle intervals for sending and receiving signals could be of any suitable length, and the sending and receiving of signals could be arranged to occur automatically without user intervention, for any suitable length of time.

The carrying apparatus 60 could be of any suitable form. For example the carrying apparatus 60 could be in the form of a rucksack, a holdall, a briefcase, a satchel or any other convenient form.

Figs. 4 - 8 show a carrying apparatus 60 in the form of a rucksack. Referring to Fig. 4, the rucksack 60 includes an outer member 62 which defines a first load space 64 and an inner protection member 66 which defines a second load space 68. The outer member 62 could be formed of a relatively flexible material, and could be formed of a fabric material. The inner protection member 66 could be formed of a relatively rigid material which is substantially resistant to shock forces, and could be formed of a plastics material. As shown in Fig. 7, the inner protection member 66, which in Fig. 7 is shown partly cut away, could be formed of a honeycomb structure material 84.

The carrying apparatus 60 includes guide means including a pair of spaced guide formations in the form of tracks 72 which are mounted to an inside surface of the outer member 62 within the first load space 64, and a plurality of engaging formations in the form of projections 74 which are mounted to an outside surface of the inner protection member 66 and engage with the guide tracks 72. In the example shown in Figs. 5 to 8, four engaging projections 74 project from the inner protection member 66.

One of the guide tracks 72 and one of the engaging projections 74 are shown in enlarged detail in Fig. 6. Each of the engaging projections 74 includes a relatively thin neck 76 and a relatively enlarged head 78, the neck

76 extending from the inner protection member 66, and the head 70 extending from the neck 76. Each of the guide tracks 72 is elongate, being closed at a lower end 88 and open at an upper end 86, and defines a longitudinally extending, relatively narrow slot 80 and a relatively enlarged cavity 82, the slot

80 communicating with the cavity 82.

In use, the engaging projections 74 are located in the guide tracks 72 via the open ends 86 and slide along the guide tracks 72, permitting movement of the inner protection member 66 between an inserted position and an extracted position. The necks 76 of the engaging projections 74 locate in the slots 80, and the relatively enlarged heads 78 locate in the cavities 82, so that the engaging projections 74 are retained within the guide tracks 72 unless the engaging projections 74 are drawn upwardly through the open upper ends 86 of the guide tracks 72.

In use, valuable or fragile items such as the portable transmitter receiver 12 can be located within the second load space 68 of the inner protection member 66. Such loading of items can be undertaken when the inner protection member 66 is either disengaged from the guide track 72 or in is in the upper, extracted position in which the inner protection member 66 is at least partially, if not mostly outside of the first load space 64. Once loading of the inner protection member 66 has been completed, the inner protection member 66 is slidably moved along the guide tracks 72 into the lower, inserted position, in which the inner protection member 66 is fully within the first load space 64.

Alternatively, loading of the second load space 68 can be carried out with the inner protection member 66 in the inserted position within the first load space 64.

To unload the inner protection member 66, the inner protection member 66 can be moved from the lower, inserted position to the upper, extracted position, or alternatively, the engaging projections 74 can be moved upwardly out of engagement with the guide tracks 72, detaching the inner protection member 66 from the outer member 62, so that the outer protection member 66 can be completely removed from the first load space 64. In one example, a number of inner protection members 66 could be pre-packed to enable rapid loading and unloading.

The engagement of the inner protection member 66 with the guide tracks 72 provides a more stable load which in turn makes heavier loads easier to carry.

As shown in Fig. 4, the carrying apparatus 60 includes a flap 70 which is hingedly connected and locates above the first load space 64, to cover the first load space 64 and protect it in use. The flap 70 includes the solar panel 32, which could be formed of a fabric material and as shown in Fig. 4 is connected to the portable transmitter receiver 12 which is located within the second load space 68. Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of this embodiment of the invention. The outer member 62 and the inner protection member 66 could be of any suitable size or shape, and could be made of any suitable material. The carrying apparatus 60 could include any suitable number of guide tracks 72, which could be in any suitable form. For example, the engaging projections 74 could be longitudinal, extending along the length of the inner protection member 66 to provide continuous engagement with the guide tracks 72. The carrying apparatus 60 could include any suitable number of inner protection members 66, and any suitable corresponding number of guide tracks 72. In another example, a plurality of inner protection members 66 could be mounted to the same guide track or tracks 72. The number of guide tracks 72 provided for each inner protection member 66 could be different. For example, for relatively small inner protection members 66, only one guide track 72 may be provided. In another example, for a relatively large inner protection member 66, additional guide tracks 72 could be provided. Inner protection members 66 could be provided which are tailored to fit specific items such as laptop computers, cameras etc.

The carrying apparatus of the invention permits the safe, secure carrying of loads with increased protection for fragile or valuable loads, while enabling rapid loading and unloading of the load. The locating apparatus of the invention permits the secure tracking of users in remote locations.

Figs 9-12 show another locating apparatus 110, many features of which are the same as or similar to the locating apparatus 10 described above. Where features are the same or similar, the same reference numerals have been used, and only those features which are different will be described here for the sake of brevity.

The locating apparatus 110 includes an item 90 and a portable transmitter receiver 112, which in this embodiment is associated with or comprised within the item 90, which could be an electronic device, which could carry information and include memory storage, and could be a portable computer such as a laptop computer 90. The portable transmitter receiver 112 is located within the casing 148 of the laptop computer 90, and thus is not visible to an unauthorised user of the laptop computer 90.

The portable transmitter receiver 112 includes a processor 16. The processor 16 includes a controller 22, a position signals processor 24, and could include an encryptor 28. The portable transmitter receiver 12 further includes a battery 30, which could be in the form of a lithium battery, and an antenna 34.

The laptop computer 90 includes a controller 126, which includes memory storage 140 and a set of instructions 142. The set of instructions 142 includes a disable/destroy routine 144.

In one example, the laptop computer 90 includes a motherboard 128, which includes the controller 126 and the processor 16, the processor 16 being integrated with the laptop motherboard 128. The integration of the processor 16 onto the motherboard 128 helps prevent identification and disabling of the processor 16 by an unauthorised user.

The laptop computer 90 includes a relatively short range wireless transmitter receiver 134, which could, for example, permit communication of signals to and from so called "wifi" transmitter receivers which relay signals to and from the internet 54. The laptop computer 90 includes a transmitter receiver 136 for exchanging signal communications with a global communications network such as a mobile telephone communications network, for example, the GSM network. The laptop computer 90 also includes a communications port 138, which permits communications via cable with a global communication network such as the internet.

In one example antennas 152, 154 for the wireless transmitter receiver 134 and the global communications receiver 136 respectively are not apparent or visible to an unauthorised user. For example, the antennas 152, 154 may be located within the casing 148 of the laptop computer 90. In another example, one or both of the antennas 152, 154 could be incorporated within the material of the casing 148 itself, and in another example the casing 148 could form one or both of the antennas 152, 154. For example, one or both of the antennas 152, 154 could run adjacent to the screen of the laptop computer 90.

The laptop computer 90 includes a power supply 130. A power supply feed 132 is provided to the power supply 130. The power supply feed 132 may be connected to a mains power supply, or any other suitable power supply. The laptop computer power supply 130 is connected via a link 114 to a supply controller 116 which permits a power supply from the laptop computer power supply 114 to the battery 30 and to the controller 22. The supply controller 116 is arranged to permit power transmission from the power supply 130, but to substantially to prevent power drainage from the battery 30. Thus, while the battery 30 of the portable transmitter receiver 112 is recharged by the power supply 130 of the laptop computer 90, the battery 30 is only used for providing power to the portable transmitter receiver 112, and does not provide power to the laptop computer 90.

Referring to Fig 10, the laptop computer 90 could include sensitive security information and in a locating phase could be arranged to receive the position signals 18 from the satellite positioning system 14 as described previously, and to transmit the encrypted location code signal 46A via the satellite's back channel to the satellite 44 and from thence via the ground station 48 to the storage location 20 on the internet server computer 52 as described previously. A second user at the remote user processor 56 can then access the storage location 20 to transfer or download the encrypted location code 42 to the remote user processor 56, where the encrypted location code 42 is decrypted by the decryptor 58 and the location code 40 then displayed to the second user at the remote user processor 56. Thus, the location of the laptop computer 90 containing sensitive information can be tracked. The operation of the portable transmitter receiver 112 is independent of the operation of the laptop computer 90, and therefore tracking signals can be relayed, even though the laptop computer 90 is switched off, and the user of the laptop computer 90 is unaware of the presence of the portable transmitter receiver 112.

As for the previous embodiment, the present invention has the advantage that the use of the satellite back channel permits more extensive coverage of the Earth's surface than other conventional locating systems and devices.

As for the previous embodiment, the portable transmitter receiver 112 could be arranged to transmit the location code signals 46 to the satellite 44 on an intermittent or periodic basis over a predefined time period. For example, the time period could be between two minutes and ten minutes. The period between transmission of the location code signals could be any suitable period, for example, every fifteen minutes, every hour, or every twenty four hours.

A number of methods could be utilised to trigger a disable/destroy phase. For example, the laptop computer 90 could be reported as being missing by an authorised user. In another example, authorised geographic location areas could be defined in which the laptop device 90 should be located, and an alarm may be triggered if the laptop device 90 exits the authorised areas.

In the disable/destroy phase, shown schematically in Fig 12, the remote processor 56 transmits a disable/destroy signal 92 via a communications link 98 to an internet server 94. The communications link 98A could be of any convenient type such as a cable link, or a wireless link.

When the laptop computer 90 accesses the internet 54, a communications link 98B is established between the internet server 94 and the controller 126 of the laptop computer 90 and the disable/destroy signal 92 is transmitted to the disable/destroy routine 144, activating the disable/destroy routine 144, which then disables access to the sensitive information on the computer 90, or destroys the information. For example, the disable/destroy routine 144 could destroy the memory storage 140 on which the sensitive information is stored. In another example, the disable/destroy routine could destroy the decryption keys which permit access to the data held in the memory storage 140 on the computer 90. This would have the advantage that the decryption keys could be restored at a later date, by an authorised user, permitting the data in the memory storage 140 to be recovered by the authorised user.

The disable/destroy signal 92 could be transmitted from the internet server 94 via a wireless link established between a wireless transmitter receiver 150 at an internet router and the relatively short range wireless transmitter receiver 134 of the laptop computer.

Alternatively or additionally, the disable/destroy signal 92 could be transmitted from a global communications network transmitter receiver 146 at the second user station 56 to the global communications network receiver 136 of the laptop computer 90. In one example, the second user processor 56 could send the disable/destroy signal 92 by a mobile telephone network to the laptop computer 90.

In another example the communication link 98 could form a link with the communications port 138 of the laptop computer 98, for example, by cable.

Additionally or alternatively, the portable transmitter receiver 112 could include a global communications network transmitter receiver 122 and/or a relatively short range wireless transmitter receiver 120. In combination with the position signals 18, the global communications network transmitter receiver 122 could enable the position signals processor 24 to derive the location code 40 by utilising Assisted GPS or A-GPS in which signals are received from a global communications network to enable a position to be established. Assisted GPS can provide improved speed and accuracy of determination of position in locations where the position signals 18 from the satellites 44 may be blocked, such as in locations where high rise buildings can block the satellite position signals 18.

In a similar way as for the antennas 152, 154, the antennas 156, 158 of the global communications network transmitter receiver 122 and the wireless transmitter receiver 120 respectively and the satellite antenna 34 could be arranged so as to be not apparent or visible to an unauthorised user, and could be located within the casing 148 of the laptop computer 90, and could be incorporated within the material of the casing 148, and/or could be formed by the casing 148.

In the embodiment in which the portable transmitter receiver 112 includes a relatively short range wireless transmitter receiver 120 and/or a global communications network transmitter receiver 122, the disable/destroy signal could be transmitted from the second user station 56 via the internet 54 or the global communications network to the controller 22, where the disable/destroy signal 92 is stored. When the laptop computer 90 is next powered up, a link 124 between the controller 22 of the portable transmitter receiver 112 permits transmission of the disable/destroy signal 92 from the controller 22 to the disable/destroy routine 144. This embodiment provides the advantage that disabling or destruction of the laptop computer 90 is not dependent upon the laptop computer 90 accessing the internet 54.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of this embodiment. The item in which the portable transmitter receiver 112 is located could be any suitable item. For example, the item could be a desktop, mainframe or server computer, a portable or standalone hard drive or drive device, a handheld computing device such as a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone or communications device, or any device including memory storage. The location code 40 in this embodiment could be sent to the storage location 20 without being encrypted.

There is thus provided locating apparatus which tracks the location of an item such as a laptop computer which holds sensitive information. The item is tracked without the knowledge of an unauthorised user, and access to the information can be disabled or the information destroyed by a remote user, preventing access by unauthorised parties to the sensitive information.

Figs 13 and 14 show yet another locating apparatus 210, many features of which are the same as or similar to the locating apparatus 10, 110 described above. Where features are the same or similar, the same reference numerals have been used, and only those features which are different will be described here for the sake of brevity.

In this embodiment, the portable transmitter receiver 212 includes a processor 16. The processor 16 includes a controller 22, a position signals processor 24 and could include an encryptor 28. The processor 16 also includes a communications processor 168, which is in communication with a communications antenna 170. Although the communications antenna 170 is shown schematically within the processor 16 in Fig 13, it is likely to be positioned outside the processor 16 and within the portable transmitter receiver 212. A buffer 180 could also be associated with the communications processor 168.

Fig 15 shows an example of a possible configuration of the portable transmitter receiver of Fig 13 in an exploded view. The portable transmitter receiver 212 includes a casing 17 (shown as a dotted outline) which houses the processor 16, the battery 30 and a spare battery 31. The casing 17 and the solar panel 34 are substantially planar and in an assembled condition are assembled together as shown by arrows A to form a relatively flat, space efficient assembly which is easy to store and transport, for example, on the lid of a rucksack. The antenna 34 could be a quad helix antenna which is utilised both for sending and receiving signals, and is wrapped around the solar panel 32.

Referring to Fig 14, which shows the locating system 210 in use, the laptop computer 90 could include sensitive security information and could be arranged to receive position signals 18 from the satellite positioning system

14 as described previously. The position signals 18 are received by the position signal antenna 34 and processed by the position signals processor

24 to derive a location code 40 which is associated with the position of the first user 50. The location code 40 is encrypted by the encryptor 28 to derive an encrypted location code 42.

However, in contrast to the previous embodiments, in this embodiment the encrypted location code 42 is forwarded by the controller 22 to the communications processor 168, which could hold the code 42 in the buffer 180. The processor 168 and/or buffer 180 could include a compression routine (not shown) to compress the signal size of the encrypted location code 42, which is then transmitted as an upload signal 172 via the communications antenna 170 to a communications satellite 160. Advantageously, the communications satellite 160 could be part of a satellite system, such as a low earth orbit satellite system, which could comprise a plurality of satellites located in a low earth orbit. In this specification, a low earth orbit is an orbit with an altitude above the earth's surface of between 200 and 2000km. One example of such a satellite positioning system could be the Iridium® satellite system. The inventors have found that utilising such a satellite system permits the use of lower power communications signals and simpler antennas than, for example, the GPS satellite system.

The processor 168 and/or buffer 180 could provide the upload signal 172 in the form of short burst discrete data packets 162, each of which could comprise a compressed signal, which minimises the risk of signal interception, and also reduces the communication power requirement. The packets 162 could be communicated at predetermined time intervals. The communications satellite 160 then relays the encrypted location code 42 as a download signal 178 to a ground station 48, which then relays the code 42 via the internet 54 to the remote user processor as previously described. The download signal 176 could be relayed to a plurality of ground stations 48. Alternatively or additionally, the satellite 160 could relay the code 42 as a download signal 178 direct to a storage location in the form of another remote user processor 164 associated with a transmitter receiver 166.

A particular feature of this embodiment is that the communications satellite 160 permits the uploading of communications signals 176 from the remote user processors 56, 164 and the downloading of communications signals 174 to the portable transmitter receiver 112. The uploaded signal 172 and downloaded signals 178 could include other data apart from the encrypted location code 42. Thus, in this embodiment, a broader range of communication between the portable transmitter receiver 112 and the remote user processor 56 is permitted. In one example, the signals could include voice signals. In another example, the signals could include control signals. For example, the remote user could control the frequency of occurrence of the upload signal 174. A secondary global communications network with associated hardware such as transmitters and receivers is not required, saving complexity, cost and weight, particularly important in respect of the portable transmitter receiver 112. Any or all of the upload and download signals 172, 174, 176, 178 could comprise compressed data packets 162.

The invention could comprise any combination of any of the features described in any of the embodiments or shown in any of the drawings.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Locating apparatus, the apparatus including a portable transmitter receiver which in use is carried by a first user and which is arranged to receive position signals from a satellite positioning system, the transmitter receiver including a processor which processes the position signals to derive a location code which is associated with the position of the first user, the apparatus including a storage location remote from the first user, the apparatus arranged to transmit the location code from the portable transmitter receiver to the storage location via a satellite.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the satellite forms part of the satellite positioning system, or the satellite forms part of another satellite system, which may be a low earth orbit system, and may be a communications satellite system.

3. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, in which the storage location is arranged to permit access to the location code by a second user, who may be remote from the first user.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the apparatus includes a remote user processor, which may be controlled by the second user, for accessing the storage location.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the portable transmitter receiver processor includes an encryptor, so that the location code is in an encrypted form.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 4, in which the user processor includes a decryptor for decrypting the location code.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a ground station, and the satellite transmits the location code to the ground station, and the ground station transmits the code to the storage location.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the storage location includes an internet server computer, which may be arranged to display the location code on a website.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the portable transmitter receiver is arranged to receive the position signals on an intermittent basis, and may receive the signals at regular intervals, which may be predetermined.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which the portable transmitter receiver is arranged to receive the position signals over a predefined time period, which may be less than 5 minutes, and may be less than 2 minutes

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the portable transmitter receiver is arranged to transmit the location code to the storage location over a predefined time period, which may be less than one minute, and may be less than 30 seconds.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 , in which the location code is arranged to be transmitted in discrete packets.

13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the locating apparatus includes an item, and portable transmitter receiver is associated with or comprised within the item, which may be an electronic device, which may carry information and may include memory storage, and may be a portable computer such as a laptop computer.

14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the portable transmitter receiver includes a secondary transmitter receiver for communication with a telecommunication network.

15. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the locating apparatus includes a controller, which is programmable with a set of instructions, and which includes data storage, and the set of instructions may include a disable/destruct routine, which may be arranged to disable or destroy the controller and/or the data storage on receipt of a disable/destroy signal.

16. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the locating apparatus includes a secondary transmitter receiver for communication between the controller and a telecommunication network.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 when dependent on claim 15, in which the disable/destroy signal is transmitted via the telecommunication network from a remote user to the disable/destruct routine.

18. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the locating apparatus includes a communication port to permit communication of signals between the internet or a global telecommunication computer network and the controller.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18 when dependent on claim 15 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the disable/destroy signal is stored on an internet server, and may be transmitted to the disable/destruct routine when a communication link is formed between the controller and the internet server.

20. Apparatus according to claim 13 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the locating apparatus includes a power store, which is separate and independent of any power supply for powering the item, and may be arranged so that the power store of the locating item receives power from the item power supply, but a supply controller prevents power transmission from the locating apparatus power supply to the item power store.

21. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes carrying apparatus for carrying the portable transmitter receiver by a person, which includes an outer member which defines a first load space and an inner protection member which defines a second load space and which locates inside the first load space in use.

22. Carrying apparatus, the apparatus including an outer member which defines a first load space and an inner protection member which defines a second load space and which locates inside the first load space in use.

23. Apparatus according to claims 21 or 22, in which the inner protection member is movable between an inserted position in which the inner protection member is fully within the first load space and an extracted position in which the inner protection member is at least partially outside the first load space.

24. Apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 23, in which the inner protection member is formed of a relatively rigid material, which is substantially resistant to shock forces, and the outer member is formed of a relatively flexible material.

25. Apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 24, in which the carrying apparatus includes guide means for guiding the movement of the inner protection member between the inserted and the extracted positions, which include at least one track formation and at least one engaging formation, which in use slideably engages with the track formation.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25, in which the track formation is mounted to the outer protection member, and the engaging formation is mounted to the inner protection member.

27. A method of locating a first user, the method including the steps of providing locating apparatus, the apparatus including a portable transmitter receiver which in use is carried by the first user and which is arranged to receive position signals from a satellite positioning system, the transmitter receiver including a processor which processes the position signals to derive a location code which is associated with the position of the first user, the apparatus including a storage location remote from the first user, the apparatus arranged to transmit the location code from the portable transmitter receiver to the storage location via a satellite.

28. A method according to claim 27, in which the apparatus is as defined in any of claims 1 to 21.

29. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

30. A method substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

31. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.