Mobile perimeter monitoring system

• US 5,086,290 A
• Filed: 03/08/1990
• Issued: 02/04/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hawes, Mark A., Shawn G. Murray
• Original Assignee: Hawes, Mark A., Shawn G. Murray
• Inventors: Hawes, Mark A., Murray, Shawn G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/490,282
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/531, 340/506, 340/572, 340/573, 455/9, 455/31, 455/67, 455/229
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A mobile perimeter monitoring system includes a battery powder transmitter adapted to be placed upon the person to be monitored while the system user carries a receiver. The receiver responds to a code transmitted by the transmitter and provides an in-range or out-of-range indication depending upon whether the receiver is within the effective range of the transmitter or outside of its effective range. An adjustment on the receiver allows the user to adjust the effective range of the system for varying environments. The receiver may be operated in an in-range mode or an out-of-range mode to provide both perimeter monitoring capability and the ability to track a transmitter if its moves outside the perimeter.

Claims

1. A mobile perimeter monitoring system comprising:

(a) a mobile transmitter having a predetermined transmitting range for transmitting a data signal;

(b) a receiver including an alarm circuit for providing an alarm signal; and

(c) mode switch means associated with said receiver for placing said receiver in a monitoring mode wherein an alarm signal will be provided only whenever said mobile transmitter moves beyond said predetermined range, and in a tracking mode wherein an alarm signal will be provided only when said mobile transmitter moves within said predetermined range.

2. The mobile perimeter monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said mobile transmitter transmits a data signal having a predetermined duty cycle period and said receiver includes delay means for delaying received data signals for a period of time sufficient to maintain said alarm circuit in a predetermined state as long as said data signal is received by said receiver within said duty cycle period.

3. The mobile perimeter monitoring system of claim 2 further including switch means associated with said mobile transmitter for altering the duty cycle of said transmitter.

4. The mobile perimeter monitoring system of claim 2 wherein said mobile transmitter includes an encoder for providing a uniquely coded data signal and wherein said receiver includes a decoder responsive to said uniquely coded data signals.

5. The mobile perimeter monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said data signal has a low duty cycle.

6. A mobile perimeter monitoring system comprising:

(a) a mobile transmitter having a predetermined transmitting range for transmitting data signals at a predetermined duty cycle;

(b) a receiver including an alarm circuit for providing an alarm signal in response to said data signals, said receiver having timing means for maintaining said alarm circuit in a first condition in response to said data signals;

(c) switch means located on said transmitter for altering the duty cycle at which said data signals are transmitted, whereby said alarm circuit will be maintained by said timing means in a second condition in response to said data signals; and

(d) mode switch means for placing said receiver in a monitoring mode wherein said alarm signal will be provided only whenever said mobile transmitter moves beyond said predetermined transmitting range and in a tracking mode wherein said alarm signal will be provided only when said mobile transmitter moves within said predetermined transmitting range.