Mobile phone search device and search method thereof

A mobile phone search device and search method thereof. Firstly, utilize a portable mobile phone detector to transmit a base station signal in its transmission region, and this region covers at least one or more mobile phones. Then, when the mobile phone detects the base station signal, it can log onto a network to establish communication channel with the portable mobile phone detector, and that can assign a communication number to each of the mobile phones, for the mobile phones to communicate in voice signal or short message with the portable mobile phone detector on its own initiative. Through applications of the mobile phone search device and search method thereof, the mobile phone having its communication with the base station disrupted can be detected and communication re-established swiftly, thus locating said trapped person and raising rescue efficiency significantly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a search technology, and in particular to a mobile phone search device and search method thereof.

2. The Prior Arts

Nowadays, in the highly developed metropolitan area, high rise buildings, such as office buildings, shopping centers, theaters, gymnasiums are densely located. Once an accident or a disaster occurs, such as fire hazard, earthquake, or even terrorist attacks in these densely populated area, the rampage of frightened crowd may incur heavy causalities. However, when this kind of disaster occurs, quite a lot of people may be buried in the debris, and they are difficult to locate. Unless the trapped person has specific means to send out SOS signals, or the communication equipment capable of sending out distress signals, otherwise, the rescue operation can not be carried out effectively.

For this reason, rescuers are provided with life detectors (such as infrared sensing device, probe, or sonar), to be inserted into the debris of the trapped person, to obtain his conditions and any signs of life, or even communicate with the trapped person in case he is conscious, to enable the rescuers to determine the proper rescue strategy. In such situations, sonar life detector can determine accurately the position of the trapped person, and the conditions of his injury through that person's response. However, since the search area of the life detector is rather limited, and in the debris, it requires gap in between and it takes time to get close to the trapped person. In addition, it is not capable of providing statistical information automatically about the searched targets and progress of the search operation. Moreover, it can not be connected to the International Rescue Organization to get timely assistance, so its disaster rescuing efficiency is rather limited.

Therefore, presently, the design and performance of mobile phone search device and search method are not quite satisfactory, and it has much room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the problems and drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides a mobile phone search device and search method thereof, so as to solve the shortcomings of the prior art.

A major objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile phone search device and search method thereof, that utilizes the portability characteristics of a mobile phone, such that when an accident or a disaster occurs, and communications between base station and mobile phone is disrupted, a portable mobile phone detector can be used to establish fast communication with the mobile phone, to determine target position, record the rescue operations, and provide the communication as required. In case the mobile phone of the trapped person is provided with a built-in backward transmission program, it can also use the mobile phone to send back specific data or perform certain actions to assist the rescue operations. The data thus obtained is sent back to the Central Main Machine (server) as the timely information to the Rescue Operation Center, or to a predetermined position to provide timely information required. Moreover, it can be connected through a network to a web-site of International Rescue Organization to get timely assistance.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention provide a mobile phone search device, including a portable mobile phone detector, that is able to transmit a base station signal in its transmission region, and when at least one or more mobile phones in the transmission region detect the base station signal, it can log onto a network to establish communication channel with the portable mobile phone detector, and that can assign a communication number to each of the mobile phones, for the mobile phones to communicate with the portable mobile phone detector on its own initiative. In addition, in case the mobile phone is provided with a built-in backward transmission program, it can send back the telephone related data and personal data to the detector, for the detector to determine position of the mobile phone, record the conditions discovered and actions taken, and to proceed with the rescue operations in cooperation with the rescue web-site.

The present invention also provides a mobile phone search method, implemented through a portable mobile phone detector, comprising the following steps. Firstly, a portable mobile phone detector transmits a base station signal in its transmission region. Then, when at least one or more mobile phones in the transmission region detect the base station signal, it can log onto the network to establish communication channel with the portable mobile phone detector, and that can assign a communication number to each of the mobile phones, for the mobile phones to communicate with the portable mobile phone detector on its own initiative. In addition, in case the mobile phone is provided with a built-in backward transmission program, it can send back the telephone related data and personal data to the detector, for the detector to determine position of the mobile phone, record the conditions discovered and actions taken, and to proceed with the rescue operation through cooperation with the rescue web-site.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The purpose, construction, features, functions and advantages of the present invention can be appreciated and understood more thoroughly through the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings. And, in the following, various embodiments are described in explaining the technical characteristics of the present invention.

Refer toFIG. 1for a block diagram of a mobile phone search device according to the present invention, and that includes a portable mobile phone detector10. When a disaster causes disruption of communications for the base station, the portable mobile phone detector10is able to take over the role of a base station in assisting rescue operation, such that it can transmit a base station signal in a region Z. Upon receiving such a base station signal, at least one or more mobile phones12in this region Z can log onto a network and establish communication channels with the portable mobile phone detector10, such that that can assign different first communication numbers based on the communication protocols of the wireless communication network at that time, to each of the mobile phones12, for it to use the first communication number to communicate with the portable mobile phone detector10on its own initiative. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of mobile phones12are able to communicate with each other, if each of the mobile phones12can obtain the first communication numbers of other mobile phones12.

The portable mobile phone detector10further includes: a base station14, a base station controller16, a data base18, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module20, an Access Point (AP)22, and a power supply24. Wherein, the base station14is connected to the base station controller16, such that it controls the transmission of base station signals of the base station14. Upon detecting the base station signals, the mobile phone12can log onto a network to establish communication channel with the base station14. The base station controller16assign first communication numbers through the base station14to each of the mobile phones12, for it to use the number to communicate with the base station controller16on its own initiative. A display screen can be disposed each on the portable mobile phone detector10or on the base station controller16, for it to display image/text or marking, to assist in the rescue operation. For example, the base station controller16can display on its display screen markings and/or a map representing each of the mobile phones12. And on the map is shown positions of each of the mobile phones12, to clearly inform rescuer of the instant message or related positions for the trapped person, to facilitate swift and accurate rescue operations. Furthermore, the base station controller16can automatically transmit a short message to each of the mobile phones12via the base station14. The short message can contain a second communication number of the base station controller16, so that the base station controller16and the mobile phones12can communicate with each other through base station14by means of short message. In a preferred embodiment, the first communication number is assigned to the mobile phone12of the trapped person, while the second communication number is assigned to the rescuers.

The base station controller16is further connected to the data base18, the Global Positioning System (GPS) Module20, the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) Access Point (AP)22, and the power supply24. Global Positioning System (GPS) Module20performs positioning for itself, to find the first position coordinate, then the base station controller16stores it in the data base18, and it calculates the second position coordinate for the mobile phone12based on the signal intensity and the first position coordinate of each mobile phone12, and also stores in the data base18. In addition, the base station controller16stores in the data base18details of the conditions discovered and actions taken for each of the mobile phones12, and also connects the two items corresponding to the second position coordinate. The WiFi access point22provides a wireless interface, so that the base station controller is controlled by a wireless controller26, such as an intelligent handset through the WiFi access point22. The wireless controller26and the base station controller16both utilize a second communication number, so that the wireless controller26utilizes the first communication number and the second communication number to communicate with each of the mobile phones12by means of voice signal or short message via the base station controller16. Moreover, the wireless controller26can use a browser to open the display screen of the base station controller16, to display the markings representing each of the mobile phones12. The power supply24is connected to a base station14and the WiFi access point22, to provide power required to the base station controller16, and the devices connected thereto, such as the base station14, the data base18, the Global Positioning System (GPS) Module20, the WiFi Access Point (AP)22.

In another preferred embodiment, the mobile phone12is provided with a built-in backward transmission program. The backward transmission program is a built-in software in the mobile phone12. For example, when the base station controller16transmits self-defined short message to the mobile phone12, the backward transmission program of the mobile phone12is able to take corresponding actions based on the short message, such as fetching personal/telephone data or making a handset screen blinking and ringing. In addition, when a mobile phone12is provided with built-in backward transmission program corresponding to the base station controller16of the portable mobile phone detector10, then the base station controller16can utilize the backward transmission program to transmit the telephone related data and the personal data of the mobile phone12back to the detector10, and store in the data base18. Or, alternatively, the base station controller16can utilize the backward transmission program to make the mobile phone12ring, or control the screen of the mobile phone12to blink. Wherein, the telephone related data includes but is not limited to: power data, GPS related data, blue-tooth data, battery data, camera data, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) data, motion sensor data, FM broadcast data, loudspeaker data, and WiFi related data; while the personal data includes but not limited to name, blood type, and telephone number. On the contrary, in case the mobile phone12is not provided with a built-in backward transmission program mentioned above, then the base station controller16is not able to perform the actions mentioned above.

The portable mobile phone detector10is connected to a central main machine30through an Internet connection device28, such that the detector10transmits the following information to the central main machine30via the Internet connection device28: signal intensity, the first position coordinate, the detection time of the mobile phone12, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), name of the portable mobile phone detector10, conditions discovered and actions taken, so that the central main machine30can utilize the following items to provide map type display or search person service: the first position coordinate, the detection time of the mobile phone12, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), the name of the portable mobile phone detector10. For example, the central main machine30provides a map type display to show: the number of the mobile phone12, the detection time of the mobile phone12, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), and the name of the portable mobile phone detector10.

In case the mobile phone is provided with a backward transmission program, the portable mobile phone detector10is able to transmit the telephone related data and personal data to the central main machine30, for the applications required. Furthermore, the central main machine30can be connected to a third party rescue web-site32, and transmits to it the information required for assisting the rescue operation, for it to provide the disaster rescue service. The information includes: the first position coordinate, the detection time of the mobile phone12, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), name of the portable mobile phone detector10, conditions discovered and actions taken.

In the following, refer toFIG. 2for a flow chart of the steps of a mobile phone search method according to the present invention, that can be applied to the disaster rescue in describing the operation of the present invention.

Nowadays, most of the people carry mobile phones with them to carry on daily activities, so that when a disaster occurs the communications between the commercial base station and mobile phone is disrupted. For this reason, the present invention is designed to use in this situation for rescue operations. As shown inFIG. 2, firstly, as shown in step S10, a rescuer enters into a region Z carrying a portable mobile phone detector10, then he operates a wireless controller26to control the base station controller16to transmit a base station signal through a base station14. Next, as shown in step S12, in the beginning, the mobile phone12of a trapped person in the same region Z is disconnected from the commercial base station at that time. When the mobile phone12detects the base station signal, it can log onto a network to establish communication channels with the base station controller16of the portable mobile phone detector10. The base station controller16assigns different first communication numbers to each of the mobile phones12, so that a mobile phone12can use this first communication number to proceed with voice or message communications with the base station controller16and wireless controller26on its own initiative.

Then, as shown in step S14, perform a signal transmission step, and in case the mobile phone12is provided with a backward transmission program corresponding to the portable mobile phone detector10, then a backward transmission step can be performed simultaneously. Of course, in case a built-in backward transmission program is not provided, then the backward transmission step can be omitted.

In the signal transmission step, in a preferred embodiment, the base station controller16automatically transmits a short message to each of the mobile phones12via a base station14, Global Positioning System (GPS) module20positions its own position to find a first position coordinate, and the base station controller16store the first position coordinate into the data base18. The base station controller16further calculates a second position coordinate of the mobile phone12based on the signal intensity and the first position coordinate of each mobile phone12, and stores it in the data base18, so that the position of the trapped person can be located quickly.

In the backward transmission step, the base station controller16utilizes the backward transmission program to send back the telephone related data and the personal date of the mobile phone12to the portable mobile phone detector10, and stores it in the data base18. Also, the mobile phone12is made to ring or to blink its screen through using the backward transmission program, so that the trapped person can be found easily.

In addition, since the base station controller16is provided with a display screen, and it is controlled by the wireless controller26through a WiFi access point22, therefore, in step S14, the base station controller16is able to display on its own display screen markings representing the respective mobile phones12and a map, and on this map is indicated position of each mobile phone12. Each mobile phone12is marked with the first communication number or IMSI, and these markings can also be shown on the screen of the wireless controller26at the same time, as shown inFIG. 3. As such, the rescue team can know from the base station controller16or the wireless controller26how many trapped persons can be located.

Subsequently, as shown in step S16, the wireless controller26and mobile phone12utilize the first communication number and the second communication number to communicate with each other through voice signal or short message. For example, the trapped person can use his own mobile phone12to dial the second communication number of the wireless controller26to communicate with the rescuer through voice signal or short message, to obtain the precise rescue information. Then, as shown in step S18, the rescuer can manipulate the base station controller16, to record in the data base18the conditions discovered and actions taken for each of the mobile phones12, and connect the base station controller16and the mobile phone12to the corresponding second position coordinate.

Then, as shown in step S20, the rescuer can manipulate the base station controller16, to transmit the following information to the central main machine30, to assist the rescue operation: signal intensity, first position coordinate, the detection time of the mobile phone12, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), name of the portable mobile phone detector10, telephone data, personal data, conditions discovered and actions taken, and any data related to the rescue operation.

Finally, as shown in step S22, the central main machine30utilizes the following information to provide map type display or search person service: first position coordinate, the detection time of the mobile phone12, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), name of the portable mobile phone detector10, telephone data, personal data, conditions discovered and actions taken, and any data related to the rescue operation. For example, the central main machine30displays the following information on a map to provide a map type display: number of mobile phone12, the detection time of the mobile phone12, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), name of the portable mobile phone detector10. Moreover, the central main machine30can be connected to a third party disaster rescue web-site32, such as Ushahidi or Sahana Disaster Information Coordination System, and transmits the following information to the third party disaster rescue web-site32, to provide disaster rescue data service, and to strengthen the rescue force: first position coordinate, the detection time of the mobile phone12, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), name of the portable mobile phone detector10, telephone data, personal data, conditions discovered and actions taken, and any data related to the rescue operation.

In the flowchart mentioned above, steps S16to S22can be omitted, or only steps S20and S22can be omitted, the present invention can still achieve the same objective of getting in touch with the mobile phone12. When the search device of the present invention is not provided with the Internet connection device28, the central main machine30, and the third party disaster rescue web-site32, then steps S20and S22can be omitted.

Summing up the above, through the applications of the portable mobile phone detector, mobile phone having communication disrupted can be detected and communication re-established swiftly, thus raising disaster rescue efficiency significantly.

The above detailed description of the preferred embodiment is intended to describe more clearly the characteristics and spirit of the present invention. However, the preferred embodiments disclosed above are not intended to be any restrictions to the scope of the present invention. Conversely, its purpose is to include the various changes and equivalent arrangements which are within the scope of the appended claims.