GPS Tracking System for Individuals, Pets or Possessions

• US 20090289785A1
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ellen Leonard
• Original Assignee: Ellen Leonard
• Inventors: Leonard, Ellen
• Application Number:
  US12/338,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20090289785A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.130
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0202 Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child

Abstract

A tracking system for individuals, pets or possessions includes a GPS transmitter that sends a tracking signal. The GPS transmitter includes a button for activation. An adhesive patch adhesively attaches to a body surface. A means for attaching about a body part is included. A GPS receiver includes a map display. A speaker emits alert tones and verbal announcements. A receiver receives the tracking signal from the GPS transmitter and alerts a user with an alert tone identifying the GPS transmitter. An icon identifies the GPS transmitter and is superimposed on a map image to indicate the location of the GPS transmitter. A name, associated with the icon, displays on the map display. A means produces verbal announcements on the speaker. A means presents available information regarding a mode of transportation. An activation button activates the receiver to receive the tracking signal without requiring the activation of the transmitter.

Claims

1. A tracking system for individuals, pets or possessions, the system comprising:

a GPS transmitter configurable for joining to individuals, pets or possessions, said GPS transmitter comprising;

a transmitter for sending a tracking signal, when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining to individuals said transmitter comprising a button for activation;

an adhesive patch joined to said transmitter for adhesively attaching to a body surface; and

means for attaching about a body part when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining about body parts of individuals or pets; and

a GPS receiver configurable for receiving said tracking signal from said GPS transmitter, said GPS receiver comprising;

a housing for housing the GPS receiver;

a map display contained within said housing for at least displaying a map image;

a speaker contained within said housing for emitting alert tones and verbal announcements;

a receiver for receiving said tracking signal from said GPS transmitter and alerting a user with a programmable alert tone individually identifying said GPS transmitter;

a programmable icon for displaying on said map display, said programmable icon individually identifying said GPS transmitter and being superimposed on said map image to indicate said location of said GPS transmitter;

a programmable name, associated with said programmable icon, for display on said map display;

means for producing verbal announcements on said speaker;

means for presenting available information regarding a mode of transportation associated with said GPS transmitter; and

an activation button for activating said receiver to receive said tracking signal without requiring said activation of said transmitter, whereby said user can clearly identify and locate said GPS transmitter.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmitter is configurable for automatic activation to send said tracking signal when said transmitter is moved outside of a desired bounded area.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tracking signal provides a continuously updated location of said transmitter.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining to body surfaces of pets, said adhesive patch comprises a furry surface generally matching a color of a fur of a pet.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining about body parts of individuals said means for attaching comprises jewelry to which said transmitter is joined.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining about body parts of pets said attaching means comprises a collar where said transmitter is joined to an interior surface of said collar to avoid detection.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said map image and a position of said programmable icon on said map image being continuously updated using said tracking signal.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said verbal announcements provide a plurality of verbal narratives associated with said location of said GPS transmitter.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said GPS transmitters and said GPS receiver is configured with individual alert tone, programmable icon and programmable name for each of said plurality of GPS transmitters.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said adhesive patch is replaceable.

12. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said GPS transmitters and said GPS receiver is configured with individual alert tone, programmable icon and programmable name for each of said plurality of GPS transmitters.

13. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said adhesive patch is replaceable.

11. A tracking system for individuals, pets or possessions, the system comprising:

a GPS transmitter configurable for joining to individuals, pets or possessions, said GPS transmitter comprising;

a transmitter for sending a tracking signal, when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining to individuals said transmitter comprising a button for activation where, when an individual requires assistance, said individual presses said button a plurality of times to activate said transmitter to send said tracking signal, when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining to pets said transmitter is configurable for automatic activation to send said tracking signal when said transmitter is moved outside of a desired bounded area, said tracking signal providing a continuously updated location of said transmitter;

means for joining to a body surface when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining to body surfaces of individuals or pets, said means for joining comprising an adhesive patch joined to said transmitter for adhesively attaching to said body surface, when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining to body surfaces of individuals, said adhesive patch generally being attached to an inconspicuous location of said body surface to mitigate detection and unauthorized removal, when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining to body surfaces of pets, said adhesive patch comprises a furry surface generally matching a color of a fur of a pet to which the adhesive patch is to be applied, said furry surface mitigating detection and unauthorized removal; and

means for attaching about a body part when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining about body parts of individuals or pets, when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining about body parts of individuals said means for attaching comprises jewelry to which said transmitter is joined, when said GPS transmitter is configured for joining about body parts of pets said attaching means comprises a collar where said transmitter is joined to an interior surface of said collar to avoid detection; and

a GPS receiver configurable for receiving said tracking signal from said GPS transmitter, said GPS receiver comprising;

a housing for housing the GPS receiver;

a map display contained within said housing for at least displaying a map image;

a speaker contained within said housing for emitting alert tones and verbal announcements;

a receiver for receiving said tracking signal from said GPS transmitter and alerting a user with a programmable alert tone individually identifying said GPS transmitter;

a programmable icon for displaying on said map display, said programmable icon individually identifying said GPS transmitter and being superimposed on said map image to indicate said location of said GPS transmitter, said map image and a position of said programmable icon on said map image being continuously updated using said tracking signal;

a programmable name, associated with said programmable icon, for display on said map display to further identify said GPS transmitter;

means for producing verbal announcements on said speaker, said verbal announcements providing a plurality of verbal narratives associated with said location of said GPS transmitter;

means for presenting available information regarding a mode of transportation associated with said GPS transmitter; and

an activation button for activating said receiver to receive said tracking signal without requiring said activation of said transmitter, whereby said user can clearly identify and locate said GPS transmitter.

14. A tracking system for individuals, pets or possessions, the system comprising:

a GPS transmitter configurable for joining to individuals, pets or possessions, said GPS transmitter comprising;

means for sending a tracking signal;

means for activating said sending means;

means for joining to a body surface; and

means for attaching about a body part; and

a GPS receiver configurable for receiving said tracking signal from said GPS transmitter, said GPS receiver comprising;

means for housing said GPS receiver;

means for displaying a map image;

means for emitting alert tones and verbal announcements;

means for receiving said tracking signal from said GPS transmitter and alerting a user;

means for displaying an icon identifying said GPS transmitter on said displaying means;

means for displaying a name associated with said icon;

means for producing verbal announcements;

means for presenting available information regarding a mode of transportation

associated with said GPS transmitter; and

means for activating said receiving means to receive said tracking signal, whereby said user can clearly identify and locate said GPS transmitter.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, further comprising means for receiving a plurality of tracking signals from a plurality of said GPS transmitters.