System for monitoring and locating people and objects
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring and locating an object comprising the steps of:
- activating a unit to be monitored by a monitoring unit;
receiving a first packet of data from said monitored unit, wherein said first packet of data comprises an identification;
transmitting a seed of an algorithm to said monitored unit if said identification associated with said first packet of data is a valid identification; and
measuring a signal strength of a second packet of data if said second packet of data was received at an expected frequency from said monitored unit, wherein said step of measuring said signal strength of said second packet of data indicates an approximate distance said monitored unit is located from said monitoring device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, computer program product and system for monitoring and locating an object using secure communications without relying on GPS. A monitoring device may activate a monitored unit (unit monitored by monitoring device) by transmitting a seed of an algorithm and a time synchronization to the monitored unit. The seed and time synchronization may be used in conjunction with an algorithm, e.g., frequency hopping table, stored in both the monitoring device and the monitored unit, to allow both the monitoring device and the monitored unit to communicate with one another at a uniquely synchronized time and frequency thereby making it more difficult for a third party to locate the monitored unit. An alert may be generated when the monitored unit is located beyond a predetermined zone. The monitored unit may be located by activating a directional antenna in conjunction with a digital compass on the monitoring device.
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Citations
65 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring and locating an object comprising the steps of:
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activating a unit to be monitored by a monitoring unit;
receiving a first packet of data from said monitored unit, wherein said first packet of data comprises an identification;
transmitting a seed of an algorithm to said monitored unit if said identification associated with said first packet of data is a valid identification; and
measuring a signal strength of a second packet of data if said second packet of data was received at an expected frequency from said monitored unit, wherein said step of measuring said signal strength of said second packet of data indicates an approximate distance said monitored unit is located from said monitoring device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer program product embodied in a machine readable medium for monitoring and locating an object comprising the programming steps of:
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activating a unit to be monitored by a monitoring unit;
receiving a first packet of data from said monitored unit, wherein said first packet of data comprises an identification;
transmitting a seed of an algorithm to said monitored unit if said identification associated with said first packet of data is a valid identification; and
measuring a signal strength of a second packet of data if said second packet of data was received at an expected frequency from said monitored unit, wherein said step of measuring said signal strength of said second packet of data indicates an approximate distance said monitored unit is located from said monitoring device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A system, comprising:
a monitoring unit configured to monitor and locate a monitored unit, wherein said monitoring unit comprises;
a memory unit operable for storing a computer program operable for monitoring and locating said monitored unit; and
a processor coupled to said memory unit, wherein said processor, responsive to said computer program, comprises;
circuitry operable for activating a unit to be monitored by a monitoring unit;
circuitry operable for receiving a first packet of data from said monitored unit, wherein said first packet of data comprises an identification;
circuitry operable for transmitting a seed of an algorithm to said monitored unit if said identification associated with said first packet of data is a valid identification; and
circuitry operable for measuring a signal strength of a second packet of data if said second packet of data was received at an expected frequency from said monitored unit, wherein said step of measuring said signal strength of said second packet of data indicates an approximate distance said monitored unit is located from said monitoring device. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A system, comprising:
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a monitored unit attached to an object; and
a monitoring unit configured to monitor and locate said monitored unit, wherein said monitoring unit comprises;
a memory unit operable for storing a computer program operable for monitoring and locating said monitored unit; and
a processor coupled to said memory unit, wherein said processor, responsive to said computer program, comprises;
circuitry operable for activating said monitored unit;
circuitry operable for receiving a first packet of data from said monitored unit, wherein said first packet of data comprises an identification;
circuitry operable for transmitting a seed of an algorithm to said monitored unit if said identification associated with said first packet of data is a valid identification; and
circuitry operable for measuring a signal strength of a second packet of data if said second packet of data was received at an expected frequency from said monitored unit, wherein said step of measuring said signal strength of said second packet of data indicates an approximate distance said monitored unit is located from said monitoring device.
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63. A system, comprising:
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a monitored unit attached to an object, wherein said monitored unit comprises;
a memory unit operable for storing a computer program operable for determining if said monitored unit has been tampered with;
a processor coupled to said memory unit;
an emitter coupled to said processor, wherein said emitter is configured to emit infrared signals to a skin of an individual; and
a detector coupled to said processor, wherein said detector is configured to receive reflections of said emitted infrared signals from said skin;
wherein said processor, responsive to said computer program, comprises circuitry operable for determining if an intensity of said reflections of said emitted infrared signals is less than a threshold; and
circuitry operable for transmitting an indication that said monitored unit has been tampered with if said intensity of said reflections of said emitted infrared signals is less than said threshold. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65)
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Specification