Personal location detection system

• US 20010026240A1
• Filed: 03/09/2001
• Published: 10/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timothy J. Neher
• Original Assignee: Timothy J. Neher
• Inventors: Neher, Timothy J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,362,778 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.07
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/16 Anti-theft; Abduction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/235 Calibration of receiver components
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/006 for emergency situations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0018 Transmission from mobile station to base station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/006 Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

A personal locator system for determining the location of a locator unit. The system includes a locator device in communication with both a central station and a GPS satellite. The locator unit includes a portable housing able to be worn about the wrist of a user. A communication system is positioned within the housing for contacting the central station and includes a transmitter and receiver. A GPS unit is also positioned within the housing for contacting the GPS system for determining a location of said locator device. Upon receipt of a location request signal by the receiver from the central station, the locator unit activates the GPS unit to contact the GPS system and receive location data therefrom. Upon receipt of the location data, the transmitter transmits the location data to the central station for analysis. A panic button is provided for transmitting an emergency signal to the central station and initiating detecting the location of the locator unit. A non-emergency call button is provided for transmitting a location request signal to the central station and in response thereto, informing a person on the contact list as to the location of the locator device. The communication system utilizes one of a POTS, cellular, PCS or internet communications network. A tamper detection sensor detects when said device is tampered with. A beacon generator generates an ultrasonic or radio frequency beacon signal for aiding a person in pinpointing a location of the device.

Claims

1. A personal locator device comprising:

a) a portable housing able to be worn about the wrist of a user;

b) means for establishing a wireless communication with a central station, said establishing means including a wireless transmitter and wireless receiver;

c) means for contacting a Global Positioning Satellite system for determining a location of said locator device, wherein upon receipt of a location request signal by said wireless receiver from the central station, said locator unit activates said contacting means to contact the GPS system and calculate location data therefrom, and upon completion of the location data calculation, said wireless transmitter transmitting said location data to the central station for analysis; and

d) means for power control of GPS unit and communication transmitter to maximize battery life.

2. The device as recited in

claim 1

, wherein said device further includes a panic button for transmitting an emergency signal to the central station upon detection of an emergency situation by the user, the central station transmitting a location response signal back to said device in response to receipt of the emergency signal.

3. The device as recited in

claim 2

, wherein said device further includes a non-emergency call button for transmitting a location request signal to the central station upon activation by the user, the central station transmitting a location response signal back to said device in response to receipt of the non-emergency signal.

4. The device as recited in

claim 3

, wherein the central station stores a contact list for each location device, the central station informing a person on the contact list as to the location of the locator device upon receipt of the location data in response to activation of the non-emergency call button by the user.

5. The device as recited in

claim 1

, wherein said establishing means utilizes one of a POTS, cellular, PCS or internet communications network.

6. The device as recited in

claim 5

, further comprising a tamper detection sensor for detecting when said device is tampered with and activating said transmitter to transmit an emergency signal to the central station.

7. The device as recited in

claim 1

, further comprising a beacon generator for generating an ultrasonic beacon signal for aiding a person in pinpointing a location of the device.

8. The device as recited in

claim 7

, wherein said beacon generator generates a RF beacon signal.

9. The device as recited in

claim 1

, further comprising an electrical or mechanical key for latching the device about a wrist of the user.

10. The device as recited in

claim 9

, further comprising a latching mechanism activated by a latching command received from the central station for latching said device about the wrist of the user.

11. The device as recited in

claim 1

, further comprising a clock phase locked to a PCS tower, and a voltage controlled oscillator that utilizes voltage information from said clock phase lock loop tracking said PCS tower.

12. The device as recited in

claim 1

, further comprising a microphone for receiving audio signals from the user for transmission to another party via the central station and a speaker for reproduction of audio signals received by said receiver from the other party via the central station.

13. A method for locating a person or object, said method comprising the steps of:

a) attaching a locator unit to the object or person to be tracked;

b) upon receipt of a location request from a subscriber, transmitting a signal from a control station to the locator unit requesting a location of the locator unit;

c) activating a GPS unit connected to the locator unit for receiving GPS satellite signals;

d) aiding GPS signal acquisition to reduce time to first fix by use of voltage information from clock phase lock loop tracking PCS tower clock;

e) calculating location data from the GPS signals;

f) transmitting the location data to the central unit for analysis to determine the location of the locator unit; and

g) informing the subscriber of the location of the locator unit.

14. The method as recited in

claim 13

, further comprising the step of generating a beacon by said locator unit for aiding the subscriber in locating the locator unit when at close range.

15. The method as recited in

claim 13

, wherein said step of attaching includes one of using an electronic key, using a mechanical key or receiving a remote signal from the control station to latch a latching mechanism.

16. The method as recited in

claim 13

, further comprising the step of activating the locator unit to contact the central station and initiate generation of a location request signal upon activation of a non-emergency call button on the locator unit.

17. The method as recited in

claim 16

, further comprising the step of contacting a person identified on a contact list stored by the central station upon receipt of location data from the locator unit.

18. The method as recited in

claim 13

, further comprising the step of activating the locator unit to contact the central station and initiate generation of a location request signal upon activation of a button on the locator unit.

19. The method as recited in

claim 13

, further comprising the step of suspending operation of the locator unit upon activation of an air mode button.

20. The method as recited in

claim 19

, wherein operation of the locator unit is suspended for a predetermined settable time period upon activation of the air mode button.

21. The method as recited in

claim 13

, further comprising the step of monitoring the power level of the locator unit by the central station.