Methods and apparatuses for transmission of an alert to multiple devices

摘要

A system for exchanging GPS or other position data between wireless devices for purposes of group activities, child location monitoring, work group coordination, dispatching of employees etc. Cell phones and other wireless devices with GPS receivers have loaded therein a Buddy Watch application and a TalkControl application. The Buddy Watch application communicates with the GPS receiver and other wireless devices operated by buddies registered in the users phone as part of buddy groups or individually. GPS position data and historical GPS position data can be exchanged between cell phones of buddies and instant buddies such as tow truck drivers via a buddy watch server. Emergency monitoring services can be set up with notifications to programmable individuals in case an individual does not respond. Positions and tracks can be displayed. TalkControl simplifies and automates the process of joining talk groups for walkie talkie services such as that provided by Nextel.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
transmitting an alert to mobile communication devices that are in a selectively-defined group of one or more communication devices wherein
transmitting the alert is in response to not receiving a response to a periodic message transmitted to a first mobile communication device, the first mobile communication device including a GPS receiver adapted to generate GPS coordinates of the first mobile communication device,the response requires input of a secret code from a user of the first mobile communication device,the alert includes position of the first mobile communication device dependent on the GPS coordinates from the first mobile device, andthe alert comprises a timestamp associated with the position, the timestamp representing time at which the GPS coordinates were generated.