Networked Personal Security System

• US 20090322514A1
• Filed: 04/24/2008
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: e-Watch, Inc. (Cision Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: e-Watch, Inc. (Cision Ltd.)
• Inventors: Monroe, David A.
• Application Number:
  US12/108,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20090322514A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/006 Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

A personal alarm system can be worn or carried by the user, may be activated at any time by the user and/or may be automatically activated to send a signal to any remote monitoring station on the network. The device identifies the user as well as the user'"'"'s location within the monitored area. The alarm-sending unit is designed to fit within a box the size of a small cell phone or pager. The unit includes an ID memory for identifying the user, is programmable and has an on-board processor for generating a signal to a wireless transmitter for sending the signal to a to a local receiver for inputting the signal onto the network. A centralized, networked RF receiver is used with the personal alarm unit and one or more of these RF receivers may be installed in order to provided adequate coverage of the monitored area. The signals generated by the personal alarm are received by the RF receiver(s) and decoded, whereupon the system processor assembles a message, packetizes it as necessary, and sends it to one or more monitoring stations via the intervening network and network interface. The signals may be digitized where desired. A beacon generator may be used to identify location of the portable unit. The system may also employ a GPS generator to identify location.

Claims

1. A portable alarm device for use by a person, the device comprising:

a portable housing;

an identification signal generator associated with the portable housing for providing identification data uniquely identifying the portable unit;

a location signal generator associated with the portable housing for providing location data of the portable unit,

a wireless transmitter associated with the portable housing, the wireless transmitter being adapted to transmit wireless signals to a remote receiver of a transmission system

a camera for collecting image data;

the image data;

an activation switch associated with the portable housing, the activation switch being operable by the user to cause transmission of wireless signals, the wireless signals conveying to the remote receiver the identification data, location data, and image data.

2. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the location signal generator is in the portable unit.

3. The portable device of claim 2, wherein the location signal generator comprises a global positioning system (OPS) signal generator.

5. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the location signal generator is in a local wireless receiver.

9. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the portable unit further includes a microphone for transmitting audio signals.

10. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the location signal generator includes a beacon signal generator located in the vicinity of the receiver for sending beacon signal to the portable unit, and wherein the portable unit is adapted for retransmitting the beacon signal with the identification signal as a component of the generated signal for defining the location of the portable unit whenever a signal is generated thereby.

11. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the transmission system and the receiver are an IR transmitter and receiver.

12. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the transmission system and the receiver are an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver.

13. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the portable unit includes a plurality of activation switches, each adapted for defining a specific type of emergency condition.

14. The portable device of claim 12, further including a fire signal switch, a police signal switch and a medical emergency signal switch.

15. The portable device of claim 10, wherein a beacon signal is generated whenever an activation switch is engaged.

16. The portable device of claim 10, wherein a beacon signal is automatically generated on a periodic, repetitive basis.

17. The portable device of claim 10, wherein a beacon signal is generated by an activation signal generated transmitted from the local wireless receiver to the portable unit.

18. The portable device of claim 10, the portable unit further including a memory for storing the last received beacon signal.

19. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is housed in a wall appliance.

20. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the wall appliance is an interactive network appliance.

21. The portable device of claim 9 wherein a plurality of beacon signal generators are employed to provide continuous, overlapping coverage of a large area.

22. The portable device of claim 1, further including a GPS receiver associated with the portable unit for generating a GPS signal defining the location of the unit, and wherein the GPS signal is included as a component of the identification signal for identifying the location of the portable unit when the generated signal is transmitted to the receiver.

4. The portable device, further including:

a wireless signal receiver associated with the remote location.

6. The portable device of claim 4, wherein the location signal generator comprises a global positioning system (GPS) signal generator.

7. The portable device of claim 4, wherein the location signal generator comprises a programmable address store for programming the location of the local wireless receiver.

8. The portable device of claim I, wherein the transmission system and receiver are an RF transmitter and RF receiver.

23. A personal alarm device of a type including a portable unit including an activation switch for generating a signal and a wireless transmission system for transmitting a wireless signal to a local wireless receiver and a wireless receiver for receiving the generated signal, the device comprising:

a. An identification signal generator associated with the portable unit for including in the generated signal an identification component for uniquely identifying the portable unit;

b. A location signal generator associated with the alarm device whereby the location of the uniquely identified portable unit may be identified by the location of the receiver receiving the signal from the portable unit;

c. An audio transmission system located in the local wireless receiver;

d. A remote audio transmission system activator located in the portable unit for activating the audio transmission system on command;

e. A wireless signal transmitter adapted to transmit the location of the portable unit, wherein the wireless signal transmitter is at least one of;

an RF transmitter, an IR transmitter, and an ultrasonic transducer and generator; and

f. An associated surveillance system including a recorder for recording surveillance data prior to receiving an activation signal from the device, wherein the recorded surveillance data is transmitted to the remote location upon receipt of the activation signal.

24. The portable alarm device of claim 23, wherein the audio transmission system is a two-way intercom.

25. The portable alarm device Of claim 23, further including a plurality of local wireless receivers and wherein a remote activator activates the closest local wireless receiver.

26. The portable alarm device of claim 24, further including a remote device for communicating with the activated local receiver.

27. The portable alarm device of claim 25. further including a plurality of remote devices and wherein the portable unit includes a selection device for selecting any of the plurality of remote devices.

28. The portable alarm device of claim 23, further including a plurality of local wireless receivers and wherein the remote activator activates the closest wireless receiver.

29. The portable alarm device of claim 27, further including a remote device for communicating with the activated local receiver.

30. The portable alarm device of claim 28, further including a plurality of remote devices and wherein the portable unit includes a selection device for selecting any of the plurality of remote devices.

31. The portable alarm device of claim 27, further including a memory device associated with the local wireless receivers for logging the progression of movement by and location of the portable unit based on the signals generated thereby and the chronological activation sequence of the local wireless receivers.

32. The portable alarm device of claim 30, further including a mapping function for tracking the movement of the portable unit and for displaying the location of the portable unit on a map.

33. The portable alarm device of claim 23, wherein the device i§

a portable, wearable device suitable for carrying on the user.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the device is suitable for wearing on the person of an aircraft crew member.

35. The device of claim 33, wherein the device is suitable for wearing on the person of a staff person in a facility.

36. A personal alarm device of a type including an activation switch for generating a signal and a transmission system for transmitting the signal to a remote location, the device comprising:

a. A signal generator associated with the device;

b. A transmitter for transmitting the signal to a remote location, wherein the wireless signal transmitter is at least one of;

an RF transmitter, an IR transmitter, and an ultrasonic transducer and generator;

c. A receiver for receiving the signal at the remote location;

d. An associated surveillance system wherein the signal generator is adapted for sending an activation signal to the surveillance system; and

e. A recorder included within the surveillance system for recording surveillance data prior to receiving the activation signal from the device and wherein the recorded surveillance data is transmitted to the remote location upon receipt of the activation signal.

37. The personal alarm device of claim 36, further including an associated surveillance system and wherein the signal generator is adapted for sending an activation signal to the surveillance system.

38. The personal alarm device of claim 37, wherein, upon activation, the surveillance system is adapted for sending surveillance signals to the remote location.

39. The personal alarm device of claim 37, wherein the surveillance system further includes a recorder for recording surveillance data prior to receiving an activation signal from the device and wherein the recorded data is transmitted to the remote location upon receipt of the activation signal.

40. The personal alarm device of claim 36, wherein the remote location is aircraft ground control.