Electronic system and method for monitoring 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,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 a distance of said first range is all that separates the transmitter tag, and hence the first person to whom the transmitter tag is attached, from said monitoring device, and hence that said first person has likely violated said protective order; and
a sensor positioned to sense the presence of an individual who has entered a zone protected by said protective order, said sensor being activated by said verification means, said sensor generating a sensor signal that is coupled to said monitoring device;
whereby a violation of said protective order by said first person may be confirmed through the receipt of said first identification signal and the generation of said sensor signal.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic monitoring system monitors an individual 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 violation, to establish probable cause of such violation. The monitoring system includes a transmitter tag worn by the individual guilty of the violation (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. A portable electronic monitoring system may be carried or worn by a victim, thereby warming such victim if the abuser comes near the victim, regardless of where the victim may be.
574 Citations
40 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, 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 a distance of said first range is all that separates the transmitter tag, and hence the first person to whom the transmitter tag is attached, from said monitoring device, and hence that said first person has likely violated said protective order; and a sensor positioned to sense the presence of an individual who has entered a zone protected by said protective order, said sensor being activated by said verification means, said sensor generating a sensor signal that is coupled to said monitoring device; whereby a violation of said protective order by said first person may be confirmed through the receipt of said first identification signal and the generation of said sensor signal. - 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 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 transmitting means for periodically transmitting a first identification signal over a limited range; and a monitoring device located proximate said second person, said monitoring device including a receiver circuit that receives said first identification signal, and a telecommunicative circuit that automatically establishes, in response to the receipt of said first identification signal, a telecommunicative link with a central processing unit (CPU) located at a monitoring location remote from said monitoring device, and that sends 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 a distance of said limited range is all that separates the transmitter tag, and the monitoring device; and a sensor coupled to said monitoring device that senses the entry of a person within a zone surrounding said monitoring device whenever said receiver receives said first identification signal; whereby the combination of the receipt of said first identification signal and the sensing of the entry of a person within said zone provides an indication that said first person has likely violated said protective order. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. 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, and 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 a distance of said limited range is all that separates the transmitter tag, and hence the first person who is carrying the transmitter tag, and the monitoring device, and hence that said first person has likely violated said protective order; and a sensor positioned to sense the entry of a person into a zone surrounding said monitoring device in response to the receipt of said first identification signal, said sensed entry providing a further indication that said first person has likely violated said protective order. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for electronically monitoring compliance with a protective order comprising:
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(a) attaching a transmitter to a first person who has been ordered not to make contact with a second person under the protective order, said transmitter including circuitry for periodically transmitting an identification signal over a first range; (b) placing a receiver near said second person, said receiver including circuitry for receiving and verifying the identification signal transmitted by the transmitter attached to said first person; (c) placing at least one sensor adjacent said receiver, said sensor being adapted to sense the entry of a person into a zone surrounding said receiver, said sensor including circuitry for automatically activating its operation upon the receipt and verification of the identification signal by said receiver; and (d) establishing telecommunicative contact with a central processing unit (CPU) at a monitoring location remote from said receiver in the event the identification signal is received and verified by said receiver, and notifying said CPU through said established telecommunicative link that the identification signal has been received by the receiver near the second person, whereby monitoring personnel at the central monitoring location are alerted that a distance of said first range is all that separates the first person from said second person; (e) recording any sensed entries into the zone surrounding said receiver as sensed by said sensor after the receipt and verification of the identification signal by said receiver, whereby evidence is automatically gathered to corroborate that the first range is all that separates the first person from the second person. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
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40. A portable electronic monitoring system for notifying a first person of the presence of a second person nearby, comprising
a transmitter tag worn or carried by the second person, said transmitter tag including means for periodically transmitting an identification (ID) signal over a first range; -
a portable receiver, worn or carried by the first person, for receiving the ID signal whenever the first range is all that separates the transmitter tag from the portable receiver, said portable receiver including an audio recorder that is automatically activated upon receipt of the ID signal; a portable microphone, worn or carried by the first person, coupled to said audio recorder, whereby audio signals sensed by the microphone are recorded by said recorder whenever the distance between said second person and said first person is less than the first range; and notifying means, coupled to said portable receiver and worn or carried by said first person, for notifying the first person of the receipt of said ID signal; and
means within said portable receiver for logging the receipt of the ID signal.
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Specification