System and method for monitoring the location of individuals via the world wide web using a wireless communications network

Claim 3

The system for monitoring geographical locations according to claim 1 , further comprising a mapping graphical user interface for providing location information pertaining to the at least one wireless communications device on a mapped display.

Claim 4

The system for monitoring geographical locations according to claim 2 , further comprising a directory assistance information retrieval directory for providing a name of an item of interest in an immediate vicinity of the location of a wireless communications device.

Claim 5

The system for monitoring geographical locations according to claim 1 , wherein the location information is provided on an Internet website accessed by an authorized user on a personal computer.

Claim 6

The system for monitoring geographical locations according to claim 1 , wherein the location information is provided to an authorized user as a text message on an interactive pager.

Claim 7

The system for monitoring geographical locations according to claim 1 , wherein the location information is provided as a mapped display, a text message, or an audio message to an authorized user on a mobile cellular telephone.

Claim 8

The system for monitoring geographical locations according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one wireless communications device is a mobile cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, or an interactive pager.

Claim 9

The system for monitoring geographical locations according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of receivers are cell towers.

Claim 10

The system for monitoring geographical locations according to claim 1 , wherein the geographical location database maintains a speed of movement by which the wireless communications devices are moved.

Claim 11

The system for monitoring geographical locations according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one wireless communication device is installed within an automobile to continuously transmit location information.

Claim 12

The system for monitoring geographical locations according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one wireless communication device is a cellular telephone that continuously transmits location information at all times.

Claim 13

A monitoring system for providing the geographical location of certain individuals within a geographical region to authorized users at a remote location, comprising: a) a plurality of wireless communications devices for transmitting control signals in response to receiving paging signals, wherein each wireless communications device is associated with an individual to be monitored, and wherein the paging signals are operable to preclude the wireless communications devices from alerting the individual of the paging signal and yet respond with controls signals; b) a plurality of receivers located across a geographical regions for detecting controls signals transmitted by the wireless communications devices; c) a location processor for determining location information corresponding to at least one wireless communications device according to signal strength information provided in the control signals, detected by the plurality of receivers; and d) an Internet-accessible database for storing location information and associating a user access code with each wireless communications device, wherein authorized users receive location information pertaining to each wireless communications device associated with the respective user access code; wherein the location processor includes a geographical location database that: 1) maintains location information for each wireless communication device sorted by authorized user access code and an authorized user can simultaneously receive location information for a plurality of wireless communication devices associated with the same user access code; and 2) maintains names of items-of-interest associated with addresses at which the wireless communication devices are located.

Claim 14

A monitoring system for providing the geographical location of certain individuals within a geographical region to authorized users at a remote location, comprising: a) a plurality of wireless communications devices for transmitting control signals in response to receiving paging signals, wherein each wireless communications device is associated with an individual to be monitored, and wherein the paging signals are operable to preclude the wireless communications devices from alerting the individual of the paging signal and yet respond with controls signals; b) a plurality of receivers located across a geographical regions for detecting controls signals transmitted by the wireless communications devices; c) a location processor for determining location information corresponding to at least one wireless communications device according to signal strength information provided in the control signals, detected by the plurality of receivers; and d) an Internet-accessible database for storing location information and associating a user access code with each wireless communications device, wherein authorized users receive location information pertaining to each wireless communications device associated with the respective user access code; wherein the location processor includes a geographical location database that: 1) maintains location information for each wireless communication device sorted by authorized user access code and an authorized user can simultaneously receive location information for a plurality of wireless communication devices associated with the same user access code; and 2) maintains names of items-of-interest associated with addresses at which the wireless communication devices are located.

Claim 15

The monitoring system according to claim 12 , wherein an authorized user is a parent, and the wireless communications devices associated with the parent's access code are the parent's children.

Claim 16

The monitoring system according to claim 12 , wherein an authorized user is a dispatcher, and the wireless communications devices associated with the dispatcher's access code are the dispatcher's employees.

Claim 17

The monitoring system according to claim 14 , wherein the database stores information for each wireless communications device pertaining to whether the user of the wireless communications device is available to perform a delivery.

Claim 18

The monitoring system according to claim 12 , wherein authorized users receive location information through a website over the Internet.

Claim 21

The method of monitoring individuals according to claim 17 , wherein the location processor processes the control signals to determine geographical location information by comparing signal strength of the control signals received at a plurality of cell towers by triangulation.

Claim 22

The method of monitoring individuals according to claim 17 , wherein the location processor processes the control signals to determine geographical location information by determining a closest cell tower and identifying a geographical area associated with the closest cell tower stored in a geographical locations database.

Claim 23

The method of monitoring individuals according to claim 17 , wherein the location process processes the control signals to determine geographical location information by decoding GPS location information in the control signals.

Claim 24

The method of monitoring individuals according to claim 17 , wherein the wireless communication devices are carried by the individuals to be monitored.

Claim 25

The method of monitoring individuals according to claim 17 , wherein the wireless communication devices are installed in automobiles driven by the individuals to be monitored.