Home detention system
First Claim
1. An apparatus to be worn by a detainee under house arrest, comprising:
- a) a housing;
b) a light source disposed in said housing, said light source having an output for providing a light signal;
c) a light detector disposed in said housing and having an input for receiving a light signal and producing an electrical signal representative thereof;
d) a band having a first end and a second end, said first and said second ends each being securely but removably attached to said housing, said band comprising at least one fiber optic strand disposed within said band between said first and said second ends thereof, a first end of said at least one fiber optic strand being operatively connected to said output of said light source and a second end of said at least one fiber optic strand being operatively connected to said input of said light detector such that a light conducting path for carrying said light signal is established therebetween;
e) means for monitoring continuity of said light signal through said optical path and for generating an alert signal upon interruption of said light at said light detector;
whereby severance of said band is detected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a small transmitter designed to be worn by a detainee in a house arrest system. A tamper-resistant band retains a housing on an appendage (e.g., a wrist or ankle, etc.) of the detainee. The band contains stainless steel strands for strength. In addition, a fiber optic stand connected at one end of the band to a light source and at the other end to a light detector is used to detect severance of the band. The band may also have a conductive portion in contact with the skin of the detainee. The conductive portion is connected to a proximity detector so that in the event that a detainee managed to remove the device without severing the band and, consequently, the fiber optic strand, an alert could be generated at a monitoring station. Tamper alerts as well as low battery status are transmitted by a low power, RF transmitter within the housing. An IR control port is provided to selectively activate and deactivate the unit. The IR control port may also be used to selectively activate and deactivate individual features or to set other operating modes.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An apparatus to be worn by a detainee under house arrest, comprising:
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a) a housing;
b) a light source disposed in said housing, said light source having an output for providing a light signal;
c) a light detector disposed in said housing and having an input for receiving a light signal and producing an electrical signal representative thereof;
d) a band having a first end and a second end, said first and said second ends each being securely but removably attached to said housing, said band comprising at least one fiber optic strand disposed within said band between said first and said second ends thereof, a first end of said at least one fiber optic strand being operatively connected to said output of said light source and a second end of said at least one fiber optic strand being operatively connected to said input of said light detector such that a light conducting path for carrying said light signal is established therebetween;
e) means for monitoring continuity of said light signal through said optical path and for generating an alert signal upon interruption of said light at said light detector;
whereby severance of said band is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for ensuring that a detainee remains within a predetermined area, comprising:
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a) a personal transmitter securely affixed to the body of a detainee by a tamper resistant band having a fiber optic severance detection means to ensure that the band remains integral, said personal transmitter adapted to transmit a RF signal comprising predetermined information at a predetermined first radio frequency;
b) a local receiver adapted to receive said predetermined information at said first radio frequency, said local receiver being equipped with means for communicating with a remote monitoring center; and
c) a remote monitoring center in periodic communication with said local receiver for monitoring the detention of said detainee. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for sensing the intrusion of a known, unwelcome person into a predetermined area, comprising:
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a) a personal transmitter securely affixed to the body of a known and unwelcome person by a tamper resistant band having both fiber optic severance detection and proximity detection means to ensure that the band remains integral and affixed to said person, said personal transmitter adapted to transmit predetermined information at a predetermined first radio frequency;
b) at least one receiver proximate a predetermined area from which said person is to be excluded, said receiver being adapted to receive said predetermined information on said first radio frequency; and
c) monitoring means operatively connected to said receiver for providing an alert when said unwelcome person approaches and enters said predetermined area;
whereby, when said unwelcome person approaches and enters said predetermined area, said at least one receiver generates an alarm. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification