The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 08, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 30, 1998
Charles Gilbert, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Brian Westfall, Modesto, CA (US);
Trimble Navigation Limited, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
A system and method for determining when portable devices require service. In one embodiment, the system is co-located with the portable device and includes a sensor, positioning system receiver and communication transmitter. The sensor senses when the portable device requires service. The positioning system receiver receives positioning signals, such as positioning signals issued by the Global Positioning System, (GPS), and uses the positioning system signals to determine the location of the portable device. The communications transmitter transmits a service signal to a service base station to indicate that the portable device requires service. The service signal includes the determined location of the portable device, thereby eliminating the need for service personnel to physically inspect every portable device in order to determine if any portable devices require service.