Electronic system and method for monitoring abusers for compliance with a protective order
First Claim
1. An electronic monitoring system for monitoring compliance of a protective order, said protective order being imposed to restrain a first person from coming near a second person, said electronic monitoring system comprising:
- a transmitter tag, said transmitter tag including transmitting means for periodically transmitting a first identification signal over a first range, and means for securely attaching said transmitter tag to said first person, whereby the first identification signal generated by the transmitter tag uniquely identifies said first person to whom the transmitter tag is attached;
a monitoring device located proximate said second person, said monitoring device including;
receiving means for receiving said first identification signal when said transmitter tag, and hence when the first person to whom said tag is securely attached, comes within said first range of said monitoring device,verification means for verifying that said first identification signal comprises the identification signal that is transmitted by the transmitter tag attached to said first person, andmeans responsive to said verification means for promptly establishing a telecommunicative link with a central processing unit (CPU) located at a central monitoring location remote from said monitoring device, and for sending to said CPU a notifying signal through said established telecommunicative link indicating that said first identification signal has been received and verified by said monitoring device, whereby said CPU is put on notice that the transmitter tag, and hence the first person to whom the transmitter tag is attached, has come within the limited range of said monitoring device, and hence that said first person has likely violated said protective order; and
evidence gathering means coupled to said monitoring device and responsive to said verification means for automatically gathering evidence from a zone surrounding said monitoring device that helps to establish probable cause that the first person has entered said zone, said evidence gathering means including means for logging the receipt of said first identification signal, and further including a microphone and recording device that are activated in response to a determination by said verification means that said first identification signal has in fact been received by said receiving means;
whereby a violation of said protective order by said first person may be established through evidence gathered by said evidence gathering means.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic monitoring system monitors an abuser for compliance with a protective order. When a violation is detected, the system automatically gathers evidence, independent of any that may be provided by the victim of the abuse, to establish probable cause of such violation. The monitoring system includes a transmitter tag worn by the abuser that transmits a unique identifying (ID) signal, either periodically or when triggered. A receiving/monitoring device (RMD), or equivalent, is carried by or positioned near the victim, e.g., in the victim'"'"'s house and/or place of employment, for receiving the ID signal. A central monitoring computer is located at a central monitoring location that is in selective telecommunicative contact with the RMD. The computer maintains a response file that provides appropriate instructions to personnel or equipment at the central monitoring location or elsewhere in the event an abuser is detected by the victim'"'"'s RMD, so that appropriate action can be taken in order to electronically gather evidence of the protective order violation, and to protect the victim. One embodiment of the invention also includes means for detecting and reporting any attempt to tamper with the transmitter tag, as sensed by either the RMD, the equivalent of an RMD installed at the abuser'"'"'s house (to detect when the abuser is present thereat), or a wide area radio communications network that monitors a wide geographical area wherein the victim and abuser reside.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An electronic monitoring system for monitoring compliance of a protective order, said protective order being imposed to restrain a first person from coming near a second person, said electronic monitoring system comprising:
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a transmitter tag, said transmitter tag including transmitting means for periodically transmitting a first identification signal over a first range, and means for securely attaching said transmitter tag to said first person, whereby the first identification signal generated by the transmitter tag uniquely identifies said first person to whom the transmitter tag is attached; a monitoring device located proximate said second person, said monitoring device including; receiving means for receiving said first identification signal when said transmitter tag, and hence when the first person to whom said tag is securely attached, comes within said first range of said monitoring device, verification means for verifying that said first identification signal comprises the identification signal that is transmitted by the transmitter tag attached to said first person, and means responsive to said verification means for promptly establishing a telecommunicative link with a central processing unit (CPU) located at a central monitoring location remote from said monitoring device, and for sending to said CPU a notifying signal through said established telecommunicative link indicating that said first identification signal has been received and verified by said monitoring device, whereby said CPU is put on notice that the transmitter tag, and hence the first person to whom the transmitter tag is attached, has come within the limited range of said monitoring device, and hence that said first person has likely violated said protective order; and evidence gathering means coupled to said monitoring device and responsive to said verification means for automatically gathering evidence from a zone surrounding said monitoring device that helps to establish probable cause that the first person has entered said zone, said evidence gathering means including means for logging the receipt of said first identification signal, and further including a microphone and recording device that are activated in response to a determination by said verification means that said first identification signal has in fact been received by said receiving means; whereby a violation of said protective order by said first person may be established through evidence gathered by said evidence gathering means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An electronic monitoring system for monitoring compliance of a protective order, said protective order being imposed to restrain a first person from coming near a second person, said electronic monitoring system comprising:
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a transmitter tag, said transmitter tag including transmitting means for periodically transmitting a first identification signal over a first range, and means for securely attaching said transmitter tag to said first person, whereby the first identification signal generated by the transmitter tag uniquely identifies said first person to whom the transmitter tag is attached; a monitoring device located proximate said second person, said monitoring device including; receiving means for receiving said first identification signal when said transmitter tag, and hence when the first person to whom said tag is securely attached, comes within said first range of said monitoring device, verification means for verifying that said first identification signal comprises the identification signal that is transmitter by the transmitter tag attached to said first person, and means responsive to said verification means for promptly establishing a telecommunicative link with a central processing unit (CPU) located at a central monitoring location remote from said monitoring device, and for sending to said CPU a notifying signal through said established telecommunicative link indicating that said first identification signal has been received and verified by said monitoring device, whereby said CPU is put on notice that the transmitter tag, and hence the first person to whom the transmitter tag is attached, has come within the limited range of said monitoring device, and hence that said first person has likely violated said protective order; and evidence gathering means coupled to said monitoring device and responsive to said verification means for automatically gathering evidence from a zone surrounding said monitoring device that helps to establish probable cause that the first person has entered said zone, said evidence gathering means including means for logging the receipt of said first identification signal, and further including a video camera and recording device that is activated in response to a determination by said verification means that said first identification signal has in fact been received by said receiving means; whereby a violation of said protective order by said first person may be established through evidence gathered by said evidence gathering means.
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20. An electronic monitoring system for monitoring compliance with a protective order, said protective order being imposed to restrain a first person from making contact with a second person, said electronic monitoring system comprising:
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a transmitter tag carried by said first person, said transmitter tag including first receiving means for receiving a trigger signal, and first transmitting means for transmitting a first identification signal over a limited range in response to receipt of said trigger signal; and a monitoring device located proximate said second person, said monitoring device including second transmitting means for periodically transmitting said trigger signal over a substantial range surrounding said monitoring device, said substantial range being greater than said limited range over which the transmitting means of said transmitter tag transmits said first identification signal, whereby said transmitter tag begins to transmit said first identification signal whenever said transmitter tag, and hence whenever the person carrying said transmitter tag, comes within said substantial range of said monitoring device; second receiving means for receiving said first identification signal, means responsive to the receipt of said first identification signal at said monitoring device for promptly establishing a telecommunicative link with a central processing unit (CPU) located at a central monitoring location remote from said monitoring device, and for sending to said CPU a notifying signal through said established telecommunicative link indicating that said first identification signal has been received by said monitoring device, whereby said CPU is put on notice that the transmitter tag, and hence the first person who is carrying the transmitter tag, has come within the limited range of the monitoring device, and hence that said first person has likely violated said protective order; and an evidence gathering device coupled to said monitoring device and responsive to the receipt of said first identification signal at said monitoring device that automatically gathers evidence from an area surrounding said monitoring device, said evidence gathering device including; means for logging the receipt of said first identification signal, whereby a record is maintained of when said first identification signal is received by said monitoring device, and `a tape recorder for recording at least audio sounds originating near said monitoring device.
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21. An electronic monitoring system for monitoring compliance with a protective order, said protective order being imposed to restrain a first person from making contact with a second person, said electronic monitoring system comprising:
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a transmitter tag carried by said first person, said transmitter tag including first receiving means for receiving a trigger signal, and first transmitting means for transmitting a first identification signal over a limited range in response to receipt of said trigger signal; and a monitoring device located proximate said second person, said monitoring device including second transmitting means for periodically transmitting said trigger signal over a substantial range surrounding said monitoring device, said substantial range being greater than said limited range over which the transmitting means of said transmitter tag transmits said first identification signal, whereby said transmitter tag begins to transmit said first identification signal whenever said transmitter tag, and hence whenever the person carrying said transmitter tag, comes within said substantial range of said monitoring device; second receiving means for receiving said first identification signal, means responsive to the receipt of said first identification signal at said monitoring device for promptly establishing a telecommunicative link with a central processing unit (CPU) located at a central monitoring location remote from said monitoring device, and for sending to said CPU a notifying signal through said established telecommunicative link indicating that said first identification signal has been received by said monitoring device, whereby said CPU is put on notice that the transmitter tag, and hence the first person who is carrying the transmitter tag, has come within the limited range of the monitoring device, and hence that said first person has likely violated said protective order; and an evidence gathering device coupled to said monitoring device and responsive to the receipt of said first identification signal at said monitoring device that automatically gathers evidence from an area surrounding said monitoring device, said evidence gathering device including means for logging the receipt of said first identification signal, whereby a record is maintained of when said first identification signal is received by said monitoring device, a microphone for picking up audio sounds originating near said monitoring device, and a recording device that records said audio sounds. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. An electronic monitoring system for monitoring compliance with a protective order, said protective order being imposed to restrain a first person from making contact with a second person, said electronic monitoring system comprising:
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a transmitter tag carried by said first person, said transmitter tag including first receiving means for receiving a trigger signal, and first transmitting means for transmitting a first identification signal over a limited range in response to receipt of said trigger signal; and a monitoring device located proximate said second person, said monitoring device including second transmitting means for periodically transmitting said trigger signal over a substantial range surrounding said monitoring device, said substantial range being greater than said limited range over which the transmitting means of said transmitter tag transmits said first identification signal, whereby said transmitter tag begins to transmit said first identification signal whenever said transmitter tag, and hence whenever the person carrying said transmitter tag, comes within said substantial range of said monitoring device; second receiving means for receiving said first identification signal, means responsive to the receipt of said first identification signal at said monitoring device for promptly establishing a telecommunicative link with a central processing unit (CPU) located at a central monitoring location remote from said monitoring device, and for sending to said CPU a notifying signal through said established telecommunicative link indicating that said first identification signal has been received by said monitoring device, whereby said CPU is put on notice that the transmitter tag, and hence the first person who is carrying the transmitter tag, has come within the limited range of the monitoring device, and hence that said first person has likely violated said protective order; and an evidence gathering device coupled to said monitoring device and responsive to the receipt of said first identification signal at said monitoring device that automatically gathers evidence from an area surrounding said monitoring device, said evidence gathering device including means for logging the receipt of said first identification signal, whereby a record is maintained of when said first identification signal is received by said monitoring device, a video camera for picking up video signals originating near said monitoring device, and a recording device that records said video signals.
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Specification