Wearable satellite tracker

• US 20040113836A1
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donald Rickerson Jr
• Original Assignee: Donald Rickerson Jr
• Inventors: Rickerson, Donald Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,053,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.07
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 33/00 Devices for allowing seemingly-dead persons to escape or draw attention; Breathing apparatus for accidentally buried persons
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2201/16 Radio
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2201/26 signalling anomalies, e.g. rupture of connection
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2203/00 Communication means
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2213/02 using satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. the Global Positioning System GPS
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/0017 characterised by making use of satellite radio beacon positioning systems, e.g. the Global Positioning System [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/11 covering the torso, e.g. harnesses B63C9/081 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/1255 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/20 characterised by signalling means, e.g. lights arrangement or adaptation of signalling or lighting devices for ships or other waterborne vessels B63B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/007 Details of data content structure of message packets; data protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

The Wearable Satellite Tracker (WST) is a worn by the operator and carries a two-way satellite transceiver that communicates to a Central Tracking Monitor a message with; a unique serial number of the device, position information (via GPS receiver), and the status of the WST. Optionally, the WST will have a satellite telephone interface to place a “911” or emergency call to the Central Tracking Monitor. The WST can be used anywhere in the world and requires no other local equipment. An embodiment of the WST is a Personal Flotation Device or Life Vest with the WST embedded in it. The Life Vest owner can trigger the Life Vest with a panic button at will or, upon being immersed in water, the WST will self-trigger. In the Alarm-state, the WST send frequent alarm messages to the Central Tracking Monitoring, a LED Status Indicator will show the operator of the WST its progress in sending a message to the Central Monitoring Center. These are acknowledged messages and the WST wearer knows they have been received. Both status checks and alarms messages will be sent to a Central Tracking Monitor. The Central Monitoring Center will then mate the unique ID of the WST and with its database information, and begin notifying the appropriate authorities in the event of an alarm message. Most importantly with the WST, there is no new equipment or personal needs to be added to the vessel or operation unit to monitor the WST. The WST is self-contained and includes a visual check for operator to confirm the operational status of the battery, GPS, satellite transceiver and communication to the Central Tracking Monitor. Test messages can be initiated by the wearer of the WST to ensure the complete system is working before the beginning a shift, or during, a work shift.

Claims

1. A Wearable Satellite Tracking system comprising:

2. A remote unit embedded in the personal flotation device, commonly called a life vest, with a battery for power, GPS receiver for obtaining accurate position information, alarm sensors that includes a panic button to bring the unit to an alarm state, a satellite transceiver for transmitting the location and alarm information to a central tracking monitor, a system status indication that indicates to the wearer of the unit the ability of each of the subsystems to function correctly and optionally a satellite telephone interface to speak and listen to the operator at the Central Tracking Monitor when in an alarm state;

whereby said remote unit requires no other equipment or monitoring personal and

3. A Central Tracking Monitor with a both a data and optional voice communication links to the remote unit through a satellite system(s) used with this application, a Data Base of information about each of the remote units including whom to contact if the remote goes into a alarm state and when each system check was performed by the remote unit, and communications links to common means of communicating the alarm status to remote unit owners and designated authorities including public telephone voice, fax, pagers, email, and satellite telephone voice and data. When a message is received from a remote unit indicating it is in an alarm state the Central Tracking Monitor will contact the persons or organizations listed for that remote unit in the Data Base and attempt contact the remote unit by satellite telephone, if it that the optional satellite telephone feature is included with the remote unit; and

4. A Remote Unit Diagnostic and Programming Unit. This device would interface with the CPU of a remote unit via a electronic serial communications port and be able to retrieve all stored information from the CPU, test all subsystem components, reset systems timers, set priority on sensors, update software and send systems check messages to the Central Tracking Monitor. This unit is not required for normal operation of the remote unit after the remote unit is initially programmed.

5. A Wearable Satellite Tracking system as said in claim 1, where the remote unit is attached to a utility belt and intended to be worn on land. This embodiment has a sensor(s) to automatically set the remote unit into an alarm state, in addition to an operator activated panic button. These automatic sensors could include water immersion, hazardous gas, radiation, or other detectable conditions which would prevent the occupant of the Wearable Satellite Tracker for activating the panic button themselves.