PERSONAL LOCATOR DEVICE
First Claim
1. A location monitoring system, comprising:
- a plurality of locator units, each adapted to be worn by a living subject, and adapted to be in electronic data networking communication with each other on an ad-hoc basis, each locator unit being adapted to communicate with a host computer through the Internet, and each locator unit being adapted to receive location data signals from a plurality of location signal sources including one or more of a Global Positioning System satellite signal, a Global Navigation Satellite System signal, a broadcast television signal, a broadcast radio signal, a radar signal, a cellular telephone signal, and/or a wireless networking signal;
a system activation means for signaling a particular locator unit of the plurality of locator units to search for location signals, calculate location from said signals, and report a location back to the host computer; and
the host computer being adapted to receive location data from each of the plurality of locator units and to relay the location data through the Internet to other Internet-enabled devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Some embodiments may relate to a location monitoring system and/or method. Embodiments may include a plurality of locator units, each adapted to be worn by a living subject. The locator units may be adapted to communicate with a host computer through the Internet, and/or receive location data signals from a plurality of location signal sources including one or more of a Global Positioning System satellite signal, a Global Navigation Satellite System signal, a broadcast television signal, a broadcast radio signal, a radar signal, a cellular telephone signal, and/or a wireless networking signal. A system embodiment of the invention may include a means for signaling a particular locator unit to search for location signals. A host may be adapted to receive location data from each of the plurality of locator units and to relay the location data through the Internet to other Internet-enabled devices.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A location monitoring system, comprising:
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a plurality of locator units, each adapted to be worn by a living subject, and adapted to be in electronic data networking communication with each other on an ad-hoc basis, each locator unit being adapted to communicate with a host computer through the Internet, and each locator unit being adapted to receive location data signals from a plurality of location signal sources including one or more of a Global Positioning System satellite signal, a Global Navigation Satellite System signal, a broadcast television signal, a broadcast radio signal, a radar signal, a cellular telephone signal, and/or a wireless networking signal; a system activation means for signaling a particular locator unit of the plurality of locator units to search for location signals, calculate location from said signals, and report a location back to the host computer; and the host computer being adapted to receive location data from each of the plurality of locator units and to relay the location data through the Internet to other Internet-enabled devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A process for monitoring the location of a living subject comprising the steps of:
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fixing a locator unit to the living subject; providing a means for a host computer to receive an activation request from a remote location; the host computer identifying a particular locator unit to be activated; the host computer sending a wake-up signal to the identified locator unit; the locator unit searching for transmitting location signal sources and identifying location signals emitted therefrom; the locator unit determining whether identified location signals are acceptable, and accepting or rejecting location signals accordingly; calculating a position using one or more accepted location signals; and the host computer transmitting the calculated position to one or more network enabled devices. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A location monitoring system, comprising:
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a means for receiving a system activation message, generating a system activation signal in response to receiving the system activation message and communicating the system activation signal to a locator unit, wherein the system activation signal causes the locator unit to become active; the locator unit being adapted to be worn by a living subject, the unit comprising one or more of a watch, a lanyard, a necklace, an ankle bracelet, a bracelet, a collar, a tag, or a wearable article; a means for receiving a location signal from at least one location signal source selected from one or more of a Global Positioning System satellite signal, a Global Navigation Satellite System signal, a broadcast television signal, a cellular telephone signal, a radio signal, or a wireless networking signal; a means for assessing the quality of location signals received, and accepting or rejecting location signals according to predefined criteria; a means for calculating a position according to one or more accepted location signals; a means for communicating the position to a host computer; a means for communicating the position from the host computer to a network enabled device; and a means for directing one or more individuals to the position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification