Method and apparatus for locating and tracking persons

• US 20040174258A1
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Persephone Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Persephone Incorporated
• Inventors: Nordell, Benjamin Theodore II, Edelstein, Peter Seth
• Granted Patent: US 7,102,508 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/06 Children, e.g. for attention deficit diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for locating and tracking persons by use of an implantable device. The described invention is an implantable device composed of biocompatible materials in all areas where contact with organic tissue occurs. The gross anatomic siting of the device includes any limb, the torso, including back and perineum, the neck, and the head. The surgical anatomic siting of the device includes: (1) Supramuscular: for example, deep to the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat, on or attached to muscle and/or muscle fascia. Such a location is currently used for implantation of commercially available buried intravenous access ports, which are positioned on, and attached to, the pectoralis major muscle fascia; (2) Intramuscular: for example, within or between the muscles of a limb; (3) Submuscular: for example, deep to a large muscle. Such a location is currently used for implantation of commercially available artificial urethral and anal sphincter reservoirs, which are positioned deep to the rectus abdominus muscles, within the pre-peritoneal Space of Retzius; (4) Intraluminal: for example, within the lumen of an organ which has a naturally occurring orifice. Such a location is currently used for implantation of commercially available ingested video endoscopy capsule devices, i.e. gastrointestinal tract lumen, and intrauterine contraceptive devices, i.e. uterus lumen; and (5) Intracavitary: for example, intrathoracic or intraperitoneal. Such an intraperitoneal location is currently used for implantation of commercially available intraperitoneal dialysis catheters.

Claims

1. An apparatus for locating and tracking a person, comprising:

a human implantable locating and tracking device composed of biocompatible materials in all areas where contact with organic tissue occurs;

wherein gross anatomic siting of said device within said person comprises any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head; and

wherein surgical anatomic siting of said device within said person comprises any of supramuscular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, and intracavitary locations.

2. An apparatus for locating and tracking a person relative to a positioning source, comprising:

a positioning and locating device implanted within said person, wherein said device reposes in a dormant or semi-dormant state within said person;

an activation mechanism associated with said device, wherein when an activation event occurs said mechanism receives an action signal at said device from a remote activation source, and as a result of which said mechanism triggers said device;

wherein when said device is active, it receives data or signals related to positioning from said positioning source and transmits a signal to be used for positioning.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, said activation source further comprising:

means for generating an action signal and for transmitting said action signal to said activation mechanism associated with said device.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a system provider that, upon receipt of said positioning signal from said device, initiates a contact sequence by which appropriate authorities are contacted.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein gross anatomic siting of said device within said person comprises any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head;

and wherein surgical anatomic siting of said device within said person comprises any of supramuscular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, and intracavitary locations.

6. An implantable device for use in a system for locating and tracking a person, comprising:

a power source;

an individual identifier that allows for only said device to be triggered into positioning-related activities;

a triggering and positioning mechanism that functions in conjunction with external systems which are completely or in part ground-based, air-based, water-based, or satellite-based, or a combination thereof and which use, but are not limited to, any of radiofrequency, cellular, sound, light, and/or television wave analog and/or digital technology, for positioning and device triggering to provide any of positioning and non-positioning information;

a receiver; and

a transmitter.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

at least one antenna which receives signals that are transmitted to said device and which transmits signals from said device.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said device or a portion thereof is at least partially shielded to address concerns about exposure of said person to signals generated by, or incidental to, said device.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said power source may comprises any of a battery, a rechargeable battery, an inductive charging system for charging a battery, and a mechanical or heat sensitive voltage generator.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein gross anatomic siting of said device within said person comprises any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head;

and wherein surgical anatomic siting of said device within said person comprises any of supramuscular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, subcutaneous, retropertioneal, and intracavitary locations.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein implantation of said device is via any of open surgical implantation, laparoscopic implantation, thorascopic implantation, endoscopic implantation with or without visualization, direct vision-guided placement.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said triggering and positioning mechanism continuously polls for a triggering signal after each of a succession of predefined time periods.

13. The apparatus of claim 6, said triggering and positioning mechanism further comprising:

an activation mechanism associated with said device, wherein when an activation event occurs said mechanism receives an action signal from an activation source at said device, and as a result of which said mechanism awakens said device;

wherein when said device is active, it receives positioning data from said positioning source and transmits a positioning signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, said activation event comprising any of:

transmission of said action signal from a service provider, emergency services agency by means of any of a cellular telephone or other signaling mechanism, and origination of said action signal by an action of said person.

15. The apparatus of claim 6, said device further comprising:

dynamic software programming for allowing said device to evolve over a specified time, wherein said evolution comprises any of any number of transitions from an active receiver, which sends out a distress signal if said device moves beyond a specified distance from an external signal transmitter, to a passive receiver, which requires a customized signal be sent to said device, at which time said device activates and begins transmitting a distress signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said device is triggered by an external signal, local or remote, placing said device in a pre-configured state.

17. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said device is a single software phase device which is any of always active, always passive, or somewhere in between.

18. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein aspects of said device'"'"'s performance which are programmable comprise any of the type of signal to which said device responds, the type of signal said device transmits upon activation, and a permanent shutdown mode.

19. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein dynamic software programming triggers a device stimulation feature which comprises any of a vibration and a shock to said person to alert said person.

20. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said device continuously sends a notification signal after every predefined time period, wherein a missed signal triggers an alarm.

21. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

means for generating a device activation signal, wherein said activation signal is any of a terrestrial delivered cellular signal, an extra-terrestrially delivered signal, a digital television signal, and a radio-frequency signal.

22. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

means for generating a return/notification signal wherein said return/notification signal is any of a terrestrial, radio-frequency based signal, an extra-terrestrial signal, a cellular based signal, a GSM based signal IDEN, CDMA, IDMA, a GPS based signal, and a scrambling signal having a unique identity which is detected by any of a cable television system and a cellular telephone system.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said return/notification signal is tracked through any of a series of terrestrial based receiving stations, a series of extra-terrestrial based satellites systems, and a series of mobile receivers.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said notification signal is a scrambler and is tracked through signal inconsistencies by either of terrestrial based receiving stations and extra-terrestrial based satellites.

25. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a positioning mechanism comprising any of;

a global positioning system (GPS);

a differential GPS system;

a network assisted GPS (AGPS) system;

an enhanced observed time difference (E-OTD) system;

a network based positioning system;

a cell global identity and timing advance system;

a time difference of arrival system;

an angle of arrival system; and

any combination of the above.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said positioning mechanism comprises a network assisted GPS (AGPS) system, comprising:

a location server for receiving a GPS snapshot signal from said device;

a fixed reference receiver that receives a GPS signal and that calculates differential corrections that need to be applied to said GPS signal sent from said device user terminal to a location server, wherein said corrections, along with an accurate time signal, are continuously, cyclically, or periodically sent to said location server;

wherein said location server receives said corrections from said fixed reference receiver and said GPS snapshot from said device, calculates device location therefrom, and for provides device location information to a tracking service.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said implantable device comprises an integrated GPS receiver.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said positioning mechanism comprises an enhanced observed time difference system, comprising:

a mechanism associated with said device for measure control signals from a plurality of surrounding base transceiver stations (BTS);

a mechanism associated with said device for measuring an observed time difference (OTD) between pairs of incoming control signals;

a mechanism associated with said device for putting said measured OTD into a message and for sending said measured OTD to a mobile location center (MLC);

wherein when said MLC receives said message, it contacts a relevant location measurement unit (LMU) and requests OTDs of control signals from all BTSs monitored by said LMU;

wherein using a difference in OTDs of said LMU and said device, said MLC calculates a physical location of said device.

29. A locating and tracking apparatus, comprising:

a positioning and locating device having a unique device identification, wherein said device reposes in a dormant or semi-dormant state;

an activation mechanism associated with said device, wherein when an activation event occurs said mechanism receives an action signal at said device from a remote activation source, and as a result of which said mechanism triggers said device;

wherein when said device is active, it receives data or signals related to positioning from said positioning source and transmits a signal to be used for positioning.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said device comprises an implantable device for any of:

maintaining contact with a person within a defined geographic region;

felon monitoring;

broadcast alert monitoring for establishing urgent contact with a person when an emergency occurs that requires said person'"'"'s immediate attention; and

tracking several persons at a same time.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said device is activated periodically to take a series of fixes on a person'"'"'s location.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, said device further comprising:

any of various sensors for monitoring any of a person'"'"'s body functions, acoustic information, and ambient information

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said device comprises either of an implantable device, wherein gross anatomic siting of said device is within a person and comprises any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head;

and wherein surgical anatomic siting of said device within said person comprises any of supramuscular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, and intracavitary locations; and

an embedded device positioned subcutaneously within said person.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said device is configurable to operate in any of several bands and in accordance with any of several protocols to allow continuous locating and tracking a person who is moving through a plurality of geographic areas where different frequency bands and/or protocols are used for communication.

35. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said device is field programmable for any of:

allowing different frequencies or protocols to be activated;

allowing a change of said device'"'"'s unique identity; and

interrogating said device for monitored and/or stored information.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said monitored information comprises ambient information.

37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said activation mechanism is a physical element proximate to, but separate from said device.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said activation mechanism comprises any of:

an item worn by a user and an item proximate to said user, wherein said action signal is generated by any of user activation and loss of proximity to said mechanism.

39. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising:

at least one additional device; and

means for establishing communication between said devices.

40. An implantable communication apparatus comprising:

a signalling device having a unique identification by which said device triggered from a dormant or semi-dormant state; and

an activation mechanism associated with said device, wherein when an activation event occurs said mechanism receives an action signal at said device;

wherein when said device is active it sends signals representative or local events to a remote location; and

wherein said device comprises either of an implantable device, wherein gross anatomic siting of said device is within a person and comprises any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head; and

wherein surgical anatomic siting of said device within said person comprises any of supramuscular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, and intracavitary locations; and

an embedded device positioned subcutaneously within said person.