System and method for ensuring location of an individual within a designated area

• US 20060152374A1
• Filed: 12/23/2004
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Secure Care Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Secure Care Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Richard, Douglas A., Singer, Michael H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,450,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.400
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/64 using a proximity sensor
• 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 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A system and method for ensuring that a monitored individual is located within a designated area is provided. Generally, the system contains a portable transmitter capable of being removably secured to the individual. A proximity sensor is provided, which is capable of detecting the portable transmitter if the portable transmitter is located within a predefined range of the proximity sensor. The system also contains a sensor that is capable of determining if an object is located within a predefined area. A monitoring station is provided for performing an event if the portable transmitter is detected by the proximity sensor and the object is within the predefined area.

Claims

1. A system for ensuring location of an individual or apparatus within a designated area, comprising:

a portable transmitter capable of being removably secured to said individual or apparatus;

a proximity sensor capable of detecting said portable transmitter if said portable transmitter is located within a predefined range of said proximity sensor;

a sensor capable of determining if an object is located within a predefined area; and

a monitoring station for performing an event if said portable transmitter is detected by said proximity sensor and said object is within said predefined area.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor receives an optical signal from a transmitter if said object is not within said predefined area.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the predefined area is an area before an entry/exit point.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said entry/exit point is a door.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said portable transmitter further comprises:

a power source;

a motion sensor; and

a wireless transmitter capable of transmitting a unique identification.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said wireless transmitter is turned off if said motion sensor determines that there is a lack of motion of said individual or apparatus over a predefined period.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bypass device for preventing said monitoring station from performing said event if said portable transmitter is detected by said proximity sensor and said object is within said predefined area.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said bypass device is selected from the group consisting of a door bell and a keypad.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is located on a proximity transceiver, and where the proximity transceiver is capable of transmitting a unique identification signal, detected and received from the proximity sensor, to the monitoring station.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter for transmitting an optical signal to said sensor, obstruction of said optical signal to said sensor allowing said sensor to determine if an object is located within said predefined area.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said event is sounding of an alarm.

12. A monitoring station for assisting in ensuring location of an individual or apparatus within a designated area, comprising:

a memory; and

a processor configured by said memory to perform the steps of;

determining receipt of a unique identification signal indicating that a portable transmitter has been detected by a proximity sensor;

determining receipt of a sensed signal from a sensor indicating that an object is not located within a predefined area; and

performing an event if said unique identification signal has been received and said sensed signal has been received.

13. The monitoring station of claim 12, wherein said event is sounding an alarm.

14. The monitoring station of claim 12, further comprising a storage device, wherein a time and date of detection of said unique identification signal is stored within said storage device.

15. The monitoring system of claim 12, wherein said monitoring system does not perform said step of performing an event if a bypass signal is received by said monitoring station.

16. A method of ensuring location of an individual or apparatus within a designated area, comprising the steps of:

receiving a unique identification signal if a portable transmitter is located within a predefined range of a proximity sensor;

receiving a sensed signal if an object is located within a predefined area; and

performing an event if said unique identification signal has been received and said sensed signal has been received.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

detecting a unique identification signal transmitted by said portable transmitter if said portable transmitter is within said predefined range of said proximity sensor; and

determining if an object is located within said predefined area.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said performed event is sounding of an alarm.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of determining what individual or apparatus is associated with said detected unique identification signal.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of storing a date and time if said unique identification signal has been received and said sensed signal has been received.

21. A system for ensuring location of an individual or object within a designated area, comprising:

means for receiving a unique identification signal;

means for receiving a sensed signal; and

means for performing an event if said unique identification signal has been received and said sensed signal has been received.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said means for receiving said unique identification signal receives said unique identification signal if a portable means for transmitting is within a predefined range of a means for detecting said portable means if said portable means is within said predefined range, and wherein said means for receiving said sensed signal receives said sensed signal if a means for sensing determines that object is located within a predefined area.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising means for bypassing said event.