School security method and system for implementing same

• US 20040145475A1
• Filed: 11/06/2003
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Norman Greenberger
• Original Assignee: Norman Greenberger
• Inventors: Greenberger, Norman
• Application Number:
  US10/703,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20040145475A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2454 Checking of authorisation of a person accessing tagged items in an EAS system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00

Abstract

In accordance with the invention, a student security system for securing a school comprises a facility with a plurality of portals to be secured. A plurality of identification tags are each associated with a respective student and adapted to be carried by a student. Each identification tag incorporates a respective associated student code. A computing device has access to sets of associated information. Each set is associated with a respective one of the associated student codes. The associated information is particular to the respective associated student. A portal reader is associated with the portal. The portal reader is capable, within a range of distance, of reading the student code associated with the identification tags to determine presence information. A transportation vehicle has a vehicle portal. A vehicle reader is associated with the vehicle portal, the vehicle reader being capable of reading the student code associated with the identification tags to determine pickup information. A communications link connects the vehicle readers and the computing device. A communications link connects the portal readers and the computing device. A database contains student specific expected pickup and presence information. An algorithm resident in the computing device derives behavioral information from the presence and pickup information, and compares the presence and pickup information to expected pickup and presence information to determine deviations from expected behavioral information. Information gathered by the system is used to detect various situations, and to implement parental directives in diet, and related areas. In addition, the system allows minimization of exposure to danger in the case of children walking to school.

Claims

1. A student security method for securing a school a facility with a plurality of portals to be secured, comprising the steps of:

(a) assigning a respective associated student code to each of a plurality of students;

(b) incorporating each associated student code into a respective one of a plurality of identification tags;

(c) distributing to each student an identification tag within the respective associated student code of the student receiving said identification tag;

(d) accessing sets of associated information with any a computing device, each set of associated information being associated with a respective one of said associated student codes and a respective student associated with said associated student code;

(e) using a portal reader associated with each of said plurality of portals to read a student code Inc. in an identification tag within the range of said portal reader to determine presence information;

(f) transporting students bearing said identification tags to school in a transportation vehicle having a vehicle portal;

(g) reading said student code associated with said identification tags with a vehicle reader associated with said vehicle portal to determine pickup information;

(h) downloading pickup information from said vehicle reader to said computing device;

(i) downloading presence information from said portal readers to said computing device;

(j) generating a database of student specific expected pickup and presence information;

(k) deriving behavioral and/or situational information from said presence and pickup information; and

(l) said computing device comparing said presence and pickup information to expected pickup and presence information to determine deviations from expected behavioral and/or situational standards.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said portal reader and said vehicle reader read said student code incorporated in said tags while said tags are not visible.

3. A method as in claim 1, further comprising distributing a plurality of staff identification tags, each staff identification tag being associated with a respective school staff member and being carried by a school staff member, storing a respective associated school staff member code in each staff identification tag, and generating school staff time records with said computing device.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said algorithm generates school student attendance records.

5. A method as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of lend items, each of said lend items comprising a lend item identification tag incorporating a respective associated lend item code identifying its respective lend item, wherein said portal reader associated with said portal is capable of reading said lend item codes associated with said lend item identification tags to determine lend item presence information to generate a proposed lend description comprising a lend item identity or lend item identities, an algorithm being resident in said computing device, said algorithm structured to compare said lend item identity(s), a student code within the range of said reader, and a list of approved lend item information and derive a signal indicating a decision of approval or disapproval with respect to removal of said lend item across said portal.

6. A student activity and condition monitoring system for students in a school, comprising:

(a) a plurality of identification tags, each associated with a respective student and adapted to be carried by a student, each identification tag incorporating a respective associated student code;

(b) a database of student specific sets of associated parental supervision information, each of said sets of associated parental supervision information associated with a respective one of said associated student codes and being particular to the respective associated student;

(c) a computing device having access to said sets of associated parental supervision information;

(d) a point of sale device, comprising;

(i) a device for inputting product identities for products to be purchased by a particular student to generate a proposed purchase description comprising a particular set comprising a product identity or a plurality of product identities;

(ii) a point of sale reader capable of reading said student code associated with said identification tags to generate a particular student code associated with said particular student; and

(iii) a communications link between said point of sale device and said computing device;

(e) an algorithm resident in said computing device, said algorithm structured to compare said particular product identities and a set of parental supervision information associated with said particular student code and derive a signal indicating a decision of approval or disapproval with respect to said proposed purchase description; and

(f) a telecommunications channel between said computing device and a source of funds.

7. A method as in claim 6 wherein said products comprise a bar code imprint and said device for inputting product identities for products to be purchased by a particular student to generate a proposed purchase description comprising a particular set comprising a product identity or a plurality of product identities is a bar code reader.

8. A student security system for securing the safe transport of students to school, where said students are under the care of custodial individuals, comprising:

(a) a plurality of identification tags, each associated with a respective student and adapted to be carried by a student, each identification tag incorporating a respective associated student code;

(b) a computing device having access to sets of associated pickup information, each set associated with a respective one of said associated student codes, said associated information being particular to the respective associated student;

(c) a transportation vehicle having a vehicle portal;

(d) a geographic position sensing system associated with said transportation vehicle 11 for generating a geographic information signal;

(e) a vehicle reader associated with said vehicle portal, said vehicle reader being capable of reading said student code associated with said identification tags to determine pickup information;

(f) a communications link between said geographic position sensing system and said computing device sending said geographic information signal to said computing device;

(g) a database of student specific expected pickup locations;

(h) an algorithm resident in said computing device for deriving geographical proximity to a pickup location for a respective student from said geographic position sensing system, and comparing said geographic information signal to a respective expected pickup location to determine an expected pickup time; and

(i) a telecommunications channel between said computing device and said custodial individuals for reporting pickup information to said custodial individuals.

9. A system as in claim 8, wherein said geographic information signal is sent at varying rates, depending upon location, general traffic conditions, expected traffic conditions, and/or other parameters which one would expect would increase the need for more or less frequent location reporting.

10. A system as in claim 8, wherein said geographic position sensing system associated with said transportation vehicle is a satellite based positioning system.

11. A system as in claim 8, wherein said database of student specific expected pickup locations further comprises information indicating the time needed to transport said student to a respective associated pickup location, and wherein said algorithm causes said computing device to transmit along said telecommunications channel to said custodial individuals expected pickup information.

12. A system as in claim 11 wherein said telecommunications channel is the public telephone system.

13. A system as in claim 11, wherein said telecommunications channel is a publicly accessible computer network.

14. System as in claim 8 wherein said telecommunications channel is the public telephone system, and said telecommunications channel is a publicly accessible computer network, further comprising:

(a) a plurality of identification tags, each associated with a respective student and adapted to be carried by a student, each identification tag incorporating a respective associated student code;

(b) a database of student specific sets of associated parental supervision information, each of said sets of associated parental supervision information associated with a respective one of said associated student codes and being particular to the respective associated student;

(c) a computing device having access to said sets of associated parental supervision information;

(d) a point of sale device, comprising;

(i) a device for inputting product identities for products to be purchased by a particular student to generate a proposed purchase description comprising a particular set comprising a product identity or a plurality of product identities;

(ii) a point of sale reader capable of reading said student code associated with said identification tags to generate a particular student code associated with said particular student; and

(iii) a communications link between said point of sale device and said computing device;

(e) an algorithm resident in said computing device, said algorithm structured to compare said particular product identities and a set of parental supervision information associated with said particular student code and derive a signal indicating a decision of approval or disapproval with respect to said proposed purchase description; and

(f) a telecommunications channel between said computing device and a source of funds.

15. A system as in claim 14, wherein said products comprise a bar code imprint and said device for inputting product identities for products to be purchased by a particular student to generate a proposed purchase description comprising a particular set comprising a product identity or a plurality of product identities is a bar code reader.

16. A system as in claim 14, further comprising a facility with a plurality of portals to be secured.

17. A system as in claim 16, wherein said portal reader and said vehicle reader are capable of reading said student code incorporated in said tags while said tags are not visible.

18. A system as in claim 17, further comprising area readers capable of reading the presence of tags within their range, and wherein said algorithm compares known student locations to typical safe situation location specifications and typical unsafe situation location specifications to determine the existence of an unsafe condition.

19. A system as in claim 16, further comprising a plurality of visitor identification tags, each associated with a respective school visitor and adapted to be carried by a school visitor, each identification tag incorporating a respective associated school visitor code, and wherein said algorithm compares known visitor staff and student locations to typical safe situation location specifications and typical unsafe situation location specifications to determine the existence of an unsafe condition.