Global positioning satellite tracking device

• US 5,905,461 A
• Filed: 12/08/1997
• Issued: 05/18/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy J. Neher
• Original Assignee: Timothy J. Neher
• Inventors: Neher, Timothy J
• Primary Examiner(s): Blum, Theodore M.
• Application Number:
  US08/986,821
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 315/357, 701/213
• US Class Current: 342/357.54
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/16 Anti-theft; Abduction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/35 Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A global positioning and tracking system for locating one of a person and item of property. The global positioning and tracking system comprises at least one tracking device for connection to the one of the person and item of property including a processing device for determining a location of the tracking device and generating a position signal and a transmitter for transmitting said position signal. The position signal is transmitted to a relay station strategically positioned about a desired monitoring area. The relay station includes a device for receiving the positional signal and determining if the received position signal is a valid signal and a device for relaying the position signal upon determining the position signal is valid to a central monitoring station. The central monitoring station receives the validated positional signal from the relay station and analyzes the position signal for monitoring the position of the tracking device. The system may also include a tracking satellite for receiving the validated position signal from the relay station and re-transmitting the position signal to the central monitoring station when the central monitoring station is located outside the transmission range of the relay station.

Claims

1. A global positioning and tracking system for locating a person, said global positioning and tracking system comprising:

a) a tracking device for connection to said person including a processing device for determining a location of the tracking device and generating a position signal and a transmitter for transmitting said position signal;

b) at least one relay station strategically positioned about a desired monitoring area including means for receiving said position signal and determining if said received position signal is a valid signal and means for relaying said position signal upon determining said position signal is valid;

c) central monitoring station for receiving said validated position signal from said at least one relay station and analyzing said position signal for monitoring a position of said tracking device;

d) said tracking device being mounted within a decorative face plate forming part of a wrist band, first and second bands of rigid inflexible material extending from opposite sides of said face plate forming a loop for surrounding the wrist of a user, the free end of one band includes a pair of prong shafts for locking the two bands together, one of said bands having a hinged section extending from the free end thereof; and

e) said decorative face plate having embedded therein said processing device, a transmission wire extending from one end of said face plate through said first and second bands to the opposite end of said face plate for completing the circuit in said processing device so that when said first and second bands are apart said tracking unit is nonfunctional and when said first and second bands are engaged said tracking unit is functional, and said wrist band including the decorative face plate and bands being free of any electronic display said device lacking any visible indication of its function.

2. The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one relay station is able to transmit said validated position signal over a predetermined range and said system further comprises a tracking satellite for receiving said validated position signal from said at least one relay station and re-transmitting said position signal to said central monitoring station when said central monitoring station is located outside the transmission range of said at least one relay station.

3. The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 2, wherein said at least one relay station comprises a plurality of relay stations strategically positioned about said desired monitoring.

4. The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 3, wherein said system further comprises a plurality of tracking devices.

5. The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of tracking devices is in the form of a wristband for connection about a persons wrist.

6. The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 5, wherein said plurality of tracking devices each include a unique identification signal, said identification signal being transmitted to said plurality of relay stations with said position signal.

7. The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 6, wherein said plurality of relay stations each include a data base for storing identification codes of all of said plurality of tracking devices, said identification codes received from said plurality of tracking devices being compared to said identification codes stored in said data base for determining if the received position signal is valid.

8. The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 7, wherein said plurality of tracking devices each further include a memory for storing said unique identification code.

9. The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 8, wherein each of said plurality of tracking devices include a means for generating a distress signal for transmission to said central monitoring unit upon activation.

10. The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of tracking devices further include a switch for activating said means for generating a distress signal.

11. The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 9, wherein said means for generating a distress signal is activated when said tracking device is cut open.

12. The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 9, wherein said desired monitoring area is the entire earth.

13. The method of tracking continuously the location of a child utilizing a global positioning and tracking system comprising the steps of:

a) placing a wrist band containing a tracking device on the wrist of said child which is lacking of any visible indication of its function, said tracking device including a processing device for determining the location of the tracking device and generating a position signal and a transmitter for transmitting said position signal;

b) strategically positioning a relay station about a desired monitoring area including means for receiving said position signal and determining if said received position signal is a valid signal and means for relaying said position signal upon determining said position signal is valid;

c) establishing a tracking satellite for receiving the validated position signal from said tracking device and retransmitting said position signal;

c) establishing a central monitoring station for receiving said validated position signal from said relay station or said tracking satellite and analyzing said position signal for monitoring the position of said tracking device;

d) said wrist band comprising a decorative face plate, first and second bands of rigid inflexible material extending from opposite sides of said face plate forming a loop for surrounding the wrist of a user, the free end of one band includes a pair of prong shafts for locking the two bands together, one of said bands having a hinged section extending from the free end thereof; and

e) said decorative face plate having embedded therein said processing device, a transmission wire extending from one end of said face plate through said first and second bands to the opposite end of said face plate for completing the circuit in said processing device so that when said first and second bands are apart said tracking unit is nonfunctional and when said first and second bands are engaged said tracking unit is functional.