Security and Tracking System

• US 20150077247A1
• Filed: 09/16/2014
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C2 Global Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: C2 Global Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: CURATOLO, Benedict S., CORNELIUS, Thomas E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,111,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0036 of measured values, i.e. measurement on mobile and position calculation on base station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0213 System disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded disabling electrical appliances in case of unplugging G08B13/1409
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

A security and tracking apparatus includes at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein the apparatus is adapted for transmitting the location of each signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance. A method to locate a person, animal, or object, includes providing in contact with or at least in close proximity to the person, the animal, or the object, at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein each respective signaling unit is adapted for identifying the location of the signaling units and for transmitting the location of the signaling units when the first and second signaling units are separated more than a preselected distance; and activating the signaling units to transmit the location of the signaling units.

Claims

1. A method to locate a person, animal, or object, comprising:

(a) providing in contact with or at least in close proximity to the person, the animal, or the object, at least a first signaling unit having a location and a second signaling unit having a location, wherein each respective said signaling unit is adapted for identifying the location of said respective signaling unit and for transmitting information identifying the location of said respective signaling unit to a monitoring station when the first and second signaling units are separated more than a preselected distance; and

(b) activating at least one of the signaling units to initiate the transmission of the information, optionally in encrypted form, identifying the location of the signaling unit.

2. The method of claim 1, including automatically activating the transmission of the information identifying the location of the signaling units, optionally in encrypted form, when said signaling units are separated by more than the preselected distance.

3. The method of claim 1, including initiating the transmission of the information identifying the location of the signaling units upon receiving instructions from a remote source.

4. The method of claim 1, including signaling the units from the monitoring station to initiate the transmission of information identifying the location of the signaling units.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising generating a signal from a signaling unit in a wristwatch to an individual wearing the signaling unit if an associated signaling unit in a cell phone is left behind.

6. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units to a monitoring station, wherein at least one signaling unit additionally comprises the monitoring station.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit additionally comprises the monitoring station.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into a wearable article, optionally a watch.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit is attached to, incorporated within, or embedded into a material asset or personal accessory.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the material asset or personal accessory comprises a credit card, a wallet, a checkbook, a purse, a cellular phone, a pager, a motor vehicle, a boat, an aircraft, a television, a radio, a stereo, a tape player, a compact disc player, a DVD player, an MP3 player, a VCR, a camera, a movie camera, a computer, a printer, a laptop or notebook computer, a PDA or PocketPC™

, a briefcase, a suitcase, a backpack, a bank bag, a weapon, an article of clothing, an article of jewelry, or an article of artwork.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the material asset or personal accessory comprises a cellular phone.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the material asset or personal accessory comprises a weapon.

13. The method of claim 9, comprising generating a signal when the material asset containing a signaling unit is separated by more than a preselected distance from an associated signaling unit.

14. The method of claim 1, comprising transmitting information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to a remote receiver.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the remote receiver is a portable device, optionally a portable computer, laptop, personal data assistant, PocketPC, cell phone, or pager.

16. The method of claim 14, comprising transmitting information to a remote receiver in the form of text messaging.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the monitoring station and/or the remote receiver computer may be a desktop or tower computer unit, a laptop or notebook computer unit, or a handheld device.

18. The method of claim 1, comprising transmitting from a signaling unit directly to a remote receiver.

19. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units to the monitoring station, wherein the monitoring station comprises a cellular phone, a pager, a PDA or Pocket PC™

, a computer, or a combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 1 including the monitoring station communicating the location of the signaling unit to a user of the monitoring station;

to a remote receiver, optionally via the Internet;

or to another person or device telephonically or wirelessly, optionally via cellular, radio frequency, television, or satellite communication.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the signaling units is configured for a secondary operation.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the secondary operation comprises recording, receiving or transmitting video signals or audio signals, optionally including real time streaming video or voice over IP (VoIP);

the disabling of a firearm;

or the disabling of a motor vehicle.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the secondary operation is activated when the signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the secondary operation is activated by a user on demand.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the secondary operation comprises the disabling of a firearm.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit is configured for a secondary operation, comprising receiving or transmitting video signals or audio signals;

or the monitoring of physiological functions.

27. The method of claim 1, comprising monitoring a physiological function and transmitting a signal due to an emergency condition or another monitorable physical condition associated with an individual'"'"'s health condition.

28. A method of locating a person, animal or object comprising:

a) providing an apparatus adapted to be in contact with or at least in close proximity to the person, the animal or the object, the apparatus comprising at least a first signaling unit having a location and a second signaling unit having a location, wherein each respective said signaling unit is adapted for identifying the location of said respective signaling unit and for transmitting information identifying the location of said respective signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance;

b) communicating between each said respective signaling unit to determine whether said signaling units are separated by more than the preselected distance; and

c) upon determining that said signaling units are separated by more than the preselected distance, transmitting information identifying the location of the signaling units to a monitoring station, optionally activating said signaling unit that may be in a passive mode to transmit its location to the monitoring station;

wherein at least one signaling unit additionally comprises the monitoring station.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into a wearable article, optionally a watch.

30. The method of claim 28, comprising generating a signal from a signaling unit in a wristwatch to an individual wearing the signaling unit if an associated signaling unit in a cell phone is left behind.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the monitoring station comprises a cellular phone, a pager, a PDA or Pocket PC™

, a computer, or a combination thereof.

32. The method of claim 28 including monitoring a physical function for transmitting a signal associated with an emergency condition or another monitorable physical condition associated with an individual'"'"'s health condition.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of the signaling units is configured for a secondary operation, wherein the secondary operation comprises recording, receiving or transmitting video signals or audio signals, optionally including real time streaming video or voice over IP (VoIP);

the disabling of a firearm;

or the disabling of a motor vehicle.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the secondary operation is activated when the signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein the secondary operation is activated by a user on demand.

36. The method of claim 28 including the monitoring station communicating the location of the signaling unit to a user of the monitoring station;

to a remote receiver, optionally via the Internet;

or to another person or device telephonically or wirelessly, optionally via cellular, radio frequency, television, or satellite communication.

37. A method of locating a person, animal or object comprising:

a) providing an apparatus adapted to be in contact with or at least in close proximity to the person, the animal or the object, the apparatus comprising at least a first signaling unit having a location and a second signaling unit having a location, wherein the second signaling unit is in proximity with the first signaling unit, each respective said signaling unit adapted for identifying the location of said respective signaling unit and for transmitting information identifying the location of said respective signaling unit;

b) transmitting information identifying the location of each of the signaling units to a monitoring station;

c) calculating whether said signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance; and

d) upon calculating that said signaling units are separated by more than the preselected distance, initiating at least frequent or continuous transmission of location from each of said signaling units, optionally activating said signaling unit that may be in a passive mode to transmit its location to the monitoring station;

wherein at least one signaling unit additionally comprises the monitoring station.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into a wearable article, optionally a watch.

39. The method of claim 37, comprising generating a signal from a signaling unit in a wristwatch to the individual wearing the signaling unit if an associated signaling unit in a cell phone is left behind.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the monitoring station comprises a cellular phone, a pager, a PDA or Pocket PC™

, a computer, or a combination thereof.

41. The method of claim 37 including transmitting information identifying the location of the signaling units, and optionally, additional information, to a remote receiver.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the remote receiver is a portable device, optionally a portable computer, laptop, personal data assistant, PocketPC, cell phone, or pager.

43. The method of claim 41, comprising transmitting information to a remote receiver in the form of text messaging.

44. The method of claim 41 wherein the monitoring station and/or the remote receiver computer may be a desktop or tower computer unit, a laptop or notebook computer unit, or a handheld device.

45. The method of claim 37, comprising transmitting from a signaling unit directly to a remote receiver.

46. The method of claim 37 including transmitting information identifying the location of each of the signaling units to the monitoring station upon demand from the monitoring station.

47. The method of claim 37 including transmitting information identifying the location of the signaling units upon demand from the person.

48. The method of claim 37 including transmitting information identifying the location of at least one said signaling unit to the monitoring station upon demand from the monitoring station upon loss of transmission from the other signaling unit.

49. The method of claim 37 including the monitoring station communicating the location of the signaling unit to a user of the monitoring station;

to a remote receiver, optionally via the Internet;

or to another person or device telephonically or wirelessly, optionally via cellular, radio frequency, television, or satellite communication.

50. The method of claim 37 including monitoring a physiological function and transmitting a signal due to an emergency condition or another monitorable physical condition associated with an individual'"'"'s health condition.

51. The method of claim 37 wherein said calculating is processed by at least one said signaling unit.

52. The method of claim 37 wherein said calculating is processed by the monitoring station.

53. The method of claim 37, wherein at least one signaling unit is attached to, incorporated within, or embedded into a material asset or personal accessory.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the material asset or personal accessory comprises a credit card, a wallet, a checkbook, a purse, a cellular phone, a pager, a motor vehicle, a boat, an aircraft, a television, a radio, a stereo, a tape player, a compact disc player, a DVD player, an MP3 player, a VCR, a camera, a movie camera, a computer, a printer, a laptop or notebook computer, a PDA or PocketPC™

, a briefcase, a suitcase, a backpack, a bank bag, a weapon, an article of clothing, an article of jewelry, or an article of artwork.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the material asset or personal accessory comprises a cellular phone.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein the material asset or personal accessory comprises a weapon.

57. The method of claim 53, comprising generating a signal when the material asset containing a signaling unit is separated by more than a preselected distance from an associated signaling unit.

58. The method of claim 37, wherein at least one of the signaling units is configured for a secondary operation.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the secondary operation comprises recording, receiving or transmitting video signals or audio signals, optionally including real time streaming video or voice over IP (VoIP);

the disabling of a firearm;

or the disabling of a motor vehicle.

60. The method of claim 58 wherein the secondary operation is activated when the signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance.

61. The method of claim 58 wherein the secondary operation is activated by a user on demand.

62. The method of claim 58, wherein the secondary operation comprises the disabling of a firearm.