Locator system

• US 20070013526A1
• Filed: 05/04/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ronald S. Kazdin
• Original Assignee: Guardian Zone Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kazdin, Ronald, Radu, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,479,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.400
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden

Abstract

A locator system for locating a person, animal or mobile object for use with a cellular network, the locator system including a fob containing a GSM transceiver for communication with the cellular network, a GPS unit for indicating the location of a person, animal or object being searched for, a baseband processor for controlling electronic modules in the fob and an RF beacon for transmitting strong ID signals in pulse form for indicating the direction and location of the fob. The system can operate with a call center to which communications are made by a guardian seeking assistance in finding the lost person, animal or object, which in turn communicates with the cellular network to send signals to activate the fob and which receive signals from the fob. Mobile or handheld tracking units pick up GPS and RF beacon signals to find the fob. The locator system can be used in combination with a residential locating system.

Claims

1. A locator system for use with a cellular network, said locator system comprising:

a cellular network transceiver for establishing a telecommunications link with the cellular network;

a global positioning system having a global positioning system receiver for generating an output of location coordinates of said global positioning system;

a radio frequency transmitter actuable for transmitting ID/data radio frequency signals, said ID/data radio frequency signals having an identification code for identifying said radio frequency transmitter; and

a protocol processor for electrically controlling said global positioning system, receiver, said cellular network transceiver and said radio frequency transmitter;

said cellular network transceiver sending activating signals to said protocol processor in response to a call signal received from the cellular network, said protocol processor sending GPS control signals to said global positioning system to cause said global positioning system to generate an output giving the newest or last-known GPS location coordinates of said global positioning signal, and said protocol processor sending RF control signals to said radio frequency transmitter to cause said radio frequency transmitter to transmit ID/data radio frequency signals for detection by a tracking unit.

2. A locator system according to claim 1 wherein said radio frequency transmitter includes a radio frequency power amplifier for increasing the power output of said radio frequency transmitter when said radio frequency transmitter is transmitting signals to be detected for locating said radio frequency transmitter.

3. A locator system according to claim 2 wherein said radio frequency power amplifier incorporates a frequency-hopping sequential spread-spectrum protocol.

4. A locator system according to claim 1 wherein said radio frequency transmitter transmits ID/data radio frequency signals having a predetermined number of bytes selected to provide each radio frequency transmitter with a unique identity code.

5. A locator system according to claim 4 wherein each radio frequency transmitter transmits an ID/data radio frequency signal having at least three identity bytes.

6. A locator system according to claim 4 wherein each radio frequency transmitter transmits an ID/data radio frequency signal having at least one byte indicative of the status of some electronic component of at least one of the circuitry including said radio frequency transmitter, said global positioning system and said baseband processor.

7. A locator system according to claim 1 wherein said protocol processor is a baseband processor.

8. A locator system according to claim 1 wherein said protocol processor sends signals for activating said global positioning system to generate an output indicating the newest or the last-known GPS location coordinates of said global positioning signal in response to signals received by said cellular network transceiver from the cellular network.

9. A locator system for use with a cellular network, said locator system comprising:

a cellular network transceiver for establishing a telecommunications link with the cellular network;

a radio frequency transmitter actuable for transmitting ID/data radio frequency signals, said ID/data radio frequency signals having a tracking code for identifying said radio frequency transmitter; and

a protocol processor for electrically controlling said radio frequency transmitter;

said cellular network transceiver sending activating signals to said protocol processor in response to a call signal received from the cellular network, said protocol processor sending RF control signals to said radio frequency transmitter to cause said radio frequency transmitter to transmit ID/data radio frequency signals for detection by a tracking unit.

10. A locator system according to claim 9 wherein said radio frequency transmitter includes a radio frequency power amplifier for increasing the power output of said radio frequency transmitter when said radio frequency transmitter is transmitting signals to be detected for locating said radio frequency transmitter.

11. A locator system according to claim 10 wherein said radio frequency power amplifier incorporates a frequency-hopping sequential spread-spectrum protocol.

12. A locator system according to claim 9 wherein said radio frequency transmitter transmits ID/data radio frequency signals having a predetermined number of bytes selected to provide each radio frequency transmitter with a unique identity code.

13. A locator system according to claim 12 wherein each radio frequency transmitter transmits an ID/data radio frequency signal having at least three identity bytes.

14. A locator system according to claim 13 wherein each radio frequency transmitter transmits an ID/data radio frequency signal having at least one byte indicative of the status of some electronic component of at least one of the circuitry including said radio frequency transmitter and said baseband processor.

15. A locator system according to claim 9 wherein said protocol processor is a baseband processor.

16. The combination of a locator system and a residential locating system, said combination comprising:

a locator system for use with a cellular network, said locator system including;

a cellular network transceiver for establishing a telecommunications link with the cellular network;

a global positioning system having a global positioning system receiver for generating an output for indicating the location coordinates of said global communications system;

a radio frequency transmitter actuable for transmitting ID/data radio frequency signals, said ID/data radio frequency signals having a tracking code for identifying said radio frequency transmitter; and

a protocol processor for electrically controlling said global positioning system and said radio frequency transmitter;

said cellular network transceiver sending activating signals to said protocol processor in response to a call signal received from the cellular network, said protocol processor sending GPS control signals to said global positioning system to cause said global positioning system to generate an output giving the newest or last-known GPS location coordinates of said global positioning signal, and said protocol processor sending RF control signals to said radio frequency transmitter to cause said radio frequency transmitter to transmit ID/data radio frequency signals for detection by a tracking unit; and

a residential locating system for use with an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus having a wire defining a periphery of a containment area and a generator to apply an electronic signal to the wire, the wire transmitting a first radio frequency signal, said residential locating system including;

a control unit comprising;

a control unit microcontroller, said control unit microcontroller being programmable with at least one system input data; and

a control unit transceiver;

at least one child module to be carried by a child, said child module comprising;

a child module microcontroller;

a wire detector for detecting a first radio frequency signal from the wire and for generating wire detection signals in response to the detection of a wire when said wire detector is a predetermined distance from the wire; and

a child module transceiver for electronically connecting said wire detector to said control unit transceiver, said child module microcontroller being programmable with a system input data code corresponding to the system input data programmed into said control unit for establishing a unique radio frequency channel between said child module transceiver and said control unit;

said child module transceiver transmitting an alarm signal on said unique frequency channel to said control unit transceiver in response to said wire detector being a predetermined distance from the wire defining the perimeter of a containment area, said control unit transceiver generating a responsive alarm in response to receiving said alarm signal.

17. The combination of a locator system and a residential locating system, said combination comprising:

a locator system for use with a cellular network, said locator system including;

a cellular network transceiver for establishing a telecommunications link with the cellular network;

a global positioning system having a global positioning system receiver for generating an output for indicating the location coordinates of said global communications system;

a radio frequency transmitter actuable for transmitting ID/data radio frequency signals, said ID/data radio frequency signals having a tracking code for identifying said radio frequency transmitter; and

a protocol processor for electrically controlling said global positioning system and said radio frequency transmitter;

said cellular network transceiver sending activating signals to said protocol processor in response to a call signal received from the cellular network, said protocol processor sending GPS control signals to said global positioning system to cause said global positioning system to generate an output giving the newest or last-known GPS location coordinates of said global positioning signal, and said protocol processor sending RF control signals to said radio frequency transmitter to cause said radio frequency transmitter to transmit ID/data radio frequency signals for detection by a tracking unit; and

a residential locating system for use with an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus having a wire defining a periphery of a containment area and a generator to apply an electronic signal to the wire, the wire transmitting a first radio frequency signal, said residential locating system including;

a control unit comprising;

a control unit microcontroller, said control unit microcontroller being programmable with at least one system input data; and

a control unit transceiver;

at least one child module to be carried by a child, said child module comprising;

a child module microcontroller;

a wire detector for detecting a first radio frequency signal from the wire and for generating a first wire detection signal in response to detecting a first predetermined distance from the wire and for generating a second wire detection signal in response to detecting a second predetermined distance from the wire;

a child module transceiver for electronically connecting said wire detector to said control unit transceiver, said child module microcontroller being programmable with a system input data corresponding to the system input data programmed into said control unit for establishing a unique radio frequency channel between said child module transceiver and said control unit transceiver;

said child module transmitting a first alarm signal on said unique frequency channel to said control unit transceiver in response to the first wire detection signal, said control unit transceiver generating a first responsive alarm in response to receiving said first alarm signal, and said child module transmitting a second alarm signal on said unique frequency channel to said control unit transceiver in response to the second wire detection signal, said control unit transceiver generating a second responsive alarm in response to receiving said second alarm signal.

18. The combination of a locator system and a residential locating system, said combination comprising:

a locator system for use with a cellular network, said locator system comprising;

a cellular network transceiver for establishing a telecommunications link with the cellular network;

a global positioning system having a global positioning system receiver for generating an output for indicating the location coordinates of said global communications system;

a radio frequency transmitter actuable for transmitting ID/data radio frequency signals, said ID/data radio frequency signals having a tracking code for identifying said radio frequency transmitter; and

a protocol processor for electrically controlling said global positioning system and said radio frequency transmitter;

said cellular network transceiver sending activating signals to said protocol processor in response to a call signal received from the cellular network, said protocol processor sending GPS control signals to said global positioning system to cause said global positioning system to generate an output giving the newest or last-known GPS location coordinates of said global positioning signal, and

said protocol processor sending RF signals to said radio frequency transmitter to cause said radio frequency transmitter to transmit ID/data radio frequency signals for detection by a tracking unit; and

a residential locating system for use with an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus having a wire defining a periphery of a containment area and a generator to apply an electronic signal to the wire, the wire transmitting a first radio frequency signal, said residential locating system including;

a control unit comprising;

a control unit microcontroller, said control unit microcontroller being programmable with at least one system input data; and

a control unit transceiver;

at least one child module to be carried by a child, said child module comprising;

a child module microcontroller;

a wire detector for detecting a first radio frequency signal from the wire and for generating a first wire detection signal in response to detecting a first predetermined distance from the wire and for generating a second wire detection signal in response to detecting said child module crossing the wire;

a child module transceiver for electronically connecting said wire detector to said control unit transceiver, said child module microcontroller being programmable with a system input data corresponding to the system input data programmed into said control unit for establishing a unique radio frequency channel between said child module transceiver and said control unit transceiver;

said child module transmitting a first alarm signal on said unique frequency channel to said control unit transceiver in response to the first wire detection signal, said control unit transceiver generating a first responsive alarm in response to receiving said first alarm signal, and said child module transmitting a second alarm signal on said unique frequency to said control unit transceiver in response to the second wire detection signal, said control unit transceiver generating a second responsive alarm in response to receiving said second alarm signal.

19. The combination of a locator system and a residential locating system, said combination comprising:

a locator system for use with a cellular network, said locator system comprising;

a cellular network transceiver for establishing a telecommunications link with the cellular network;

a global positioning system having a global positioning system receiver for generating an output for indicating the location coordinates of said global communications system;

a radio frequency transmitter actuable for transmitting ID/data radio frequency signals, said ID/data radio frequency signals having a tracking code for identifying said radio frequency transmitter; and

a protocol processor for electrically controlling said global positioning system and said radio frequency transmitter;

said cellular network transceiver sending activating signals to said protocol processor in response to a call signal received from the cellular network, said protocol processor sending GPS control signals to said global positioning system to cause said global positioning system to generate an output giving the newest or last-known GPS location coordinates of said global positioning signal, and said protocol processor sending RF signals to said radio frequency transmitter to cause said radio frequency transmitter to transmit ID/data radio frequency signals for detection by a tracking unit; and

a residential locating system, said residential locating system including;

a control unit comprising;

a control unit microcontroller, said control unit microcontroller being programmable with at least one system input data; and

a control unit transceiver;

at least one child module to be carried by a child, said child module comprising;

a child module microcontroller;

a child module transceiver being electronically connectible with said control unit transceiver for exchanging electronic signals with said control unit transceiver;

said residential locating system further comprising;

a motion detector system for generating a motion-stationary electronic signal in response to lack of motion of said child module for a predetermined period of time, and said child module transceiver transmitting said motion-stationary electronic signal from said child module to said control unit transceiver, said control unit transceiver transmitting an alarm in response to receiving said motion stationary electronic signal;

an audio communication system, said audio communication system comprising;

a child module audio input in said child module transceiver for transmitting audio signals from said child module;

a control unit audio input in said control unit transceiver for transmitting audio signals from said control unit;

a control unit audio output at said control unit for receiving said audio signals from said child module audio input and for transmitting output signals; and

a child module audio output at said child module for receiving said audio signals from said control unit audio input and for transmitting output signals;

a directional and distance locating system comprising;

 

a monitoring signal output in said child module transceiver for transmitting monitoring signals; and

 

a movable directional and distance locating signal input in said control unit for moving to receive the maximum strength of said monitoring signals to determine the direction of the child module and distance of the child module according to the strength of the monitoring signals; and

 

a monitoring system for determining if a child module is within a predetermined distance from said control unit, said monitoring system comprising;

 

said monitoring signal output in said child module transceiver for transmitting monitoring signals; and

 

said control unit transceiver for receiving the monitoring signals and generating an alarm if said monitoring signals fall below a predetermined value.

20. The combination of a locator system and a residential locating system, said combination comprising:

a locator system fur use with a cellular network, said locator system including;

a cellular network transceiver for establishing a telecommunications link with the cellular network;

a global positioning system having a global positioning system receiver for generating an output for indicating the location coordinates of said global communications system;

a radio frequency transmitter actuable for transmitting ID/data radio frequency signals, said ID/data radio frequency signals having a tracking code for identifying said radio frequency transmitter; and

a protocol processor for electrically controlling said global positioning system and said radio frequency transmitter;

said cellular network transceiver sending activating signals to said protocol processor in response to a call signal received from the cellular network, said protocol processor sending GPS control signals to said global positioning system to cause said global positioning system to generate an output giving the newest or last-known GPS location coordinates of said global positioning signal, and said protocol processor sending RF control signals to said radio frequency transmitter to cause said radio frequency transmitter to transmit ID/data radio frequency signals for detection by a tracking unit; and

a child residential locating system, said residential locating system including;

a control unit comprising;

a control unit microcontroller, said control unit microcontroller being programmable with at least one system input data; and

a control unit transceiver;

at least one child module to be carried by a child, said child module comprising;

a child module microcontroller;

a child module transceiver being electronically connectible with said control unit transceiver for exchanging electronic signals with said control unit transceiver;

said residential locating system further comprising;

a motion detector system for generating a motion-stationary electronic signal in response to lack of motion of said child module for a predetermined period of time, and said child module transceiver transmitting said motion-stationary electronic signal from said child module to said control unit transceiver, said control unit transceiver transmitting an alarm in response to receiving said motion stationary electronic signal;

an audio communication system, said audio communication system comprising;

a child module audio input in said child module transceiver for transmitting audio signals from said child module;

a control unit audio input in said control unit transceiver for transmitting audio signals from said control unit;

a control unit audio output at said control unit for receiving said audio signals from said child module; and

a child module audio output at said child module for receiving said audio signals from said control unit;

a directional and distance locating system comprising;

 

a monitoring signal output in said child module transceiver for transmitting monitoring signals; and

 

a movable directional and distance locating signal input in said control unit for moving to receive the maximum strength of said monitoring signals to determine the direction and distance of the child module according to the strength of the monitoring signals; and

 

a wire detection system for detecting a wire defining the perimeter of a containment area, the wire having an electronic signal generated and applied to the wire and transmitting a wire radio frequency signal, said wire detection system comprising;

 

a wire detector for detecting the wire radio frequency signal and for generating wire detector signals in response to the detection of a wire;

 

said child module transceiver being electronically connected to said wire detector for transmitting signals corresponding to said wire detection signals to said control unit transceiver, said control unit transceiver generating an alarm signal when said signals corresponding to said wire detection signals exceeds a predetermined minimum.

21. The combination of a locator system and a residential locating system, said combination comprising:

a locator system for use with a cellular network, said locator system including;

a cellular network transceiver for establishing a telecommunications link with the cellular network;

a global positioning system having a global positioning system receiver for generating an output for indicating the location coordinates of said global communications system;

a radio frequency transmitter actuable for transmitting ID/data radio frequency signals, said ID/data radio frequency signals having a tracking code for identifying said radio frequency transmitter; and

a protocol processor for electrically controlling said global positioning system and said radio frequency transmitter;

said cellular network transceiver sending activating signals to said protocol processor in response to a call signal received from the cellular network, said protocol processor sending GPS control signals to said global positioning system to cause said global positioning system to generate an output giving the newest or last-known GPS location coordinates of said global positioning signal, and said protocol processor sending RF control signals to said radio frequency transmitter to cause said radio frequency transmitter to transmit ID/data radio frequency signals for detection by a tracking unit; and

a residential locating system, said residential locating system including;

a control unit comprising;

a control unit microcontroller being programmable with at least one system input data; and

a control unit transceiver;

at least one child module to be carried by a child, said child module comprising;

a child module microcontroller being programmable with a system input data corresponding to the at least one system input data programmed into said control unit microcontroller for establishing a unique radio frequency channel between said child module transceiver and said control unit;

a child module transceiver being electronically connectible with said control unit transceiver for exchanging electronic signals with said control unit transceiver;

said residential locating system further comprising;

a motion detector system for generating a motion-stationary electronic signal in response to lack of motion of said child module for a predetermined period of time, and said child module transceiver transmitting said motion-stationary electronic signal from said child module to said control unit transceiver, said control unit transceiver transmitting an alarm in response to receiving said motion-stationary electronic signal;

an audio communication system, said audio communication system comprising;

a child module audio input in said child module transceiver for transmitting audio signals from said child module;

a control unit audio input in said control unit transceiver for transmitting audio signals from said control unit;

a control unit audio output at said control unit for receiving said audio signals from said child module; and

a child module audio output at said child module for receiving said audio signals from said control unit;

a directional and distance locating system comprising;

a monitoring signal output in said child module transceiver for transmitting monitoring signals; and

a movable directional and distance locating signal input in said control unit for moving to receive the maximum strength of said monitoring signals to determine the direction and distance of the child module according to the strength of the monitoring signals; and

a wire detection system for use with an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus having a wire defining a periphery of a containment area and a generator to apply an electronic signal to the wire, the wire transmitting a first radio frequency signal, said wire detection system comprising;

a wire detector for detecting a first radio frequency signal from the wire when said wire is a predetermined distance from the wire and for generating wire detection signals in response to the detection of a wire;

said child module transceiver electronically connecting said wire detector to said control unit transceiver, and said child module transmitting an alarm signal on said unique frequency channel to said control unit transceiver in response to said wire detector being a predetermined distance from the wire defining the periphery of the containment area, said control unit transceiver generating a responsive alarm in response to receiving said alarm signal.