Flexible monitoring of location and motion
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring the location of a monitored person (MP) with reference to a permitted site, the method comprising the steps of:
- (1) designating a site, having a connected and closed curve or surface of arbitrary shape as a site boundary, as a permitted site;
(2) permitting an MP to move on the permitted site;
(3) receiving location determination (LD) signals at an LD unit attached to the MP that allow determination of the present location of the MP;
(4) determining the present location of the MP, using the LD unit;
(5) when the MP is not on the permitted site at one or more of the location determination times, transmitting an alarm signal number 1;
(6) providing a signal generator that is attached to the MP'"'"'s body and that, when activated, transmits a distinguishable electromagnetic signal;
(7) providing the MP with a motion sensor that, when the sensor is substantially motionless, issues a stationarity signal;
(8) when the MP is on the permitted site;
(8A) determining whether the LD unit is receiving LD signals;
(8B) when the LD unit is receiving LD signals, returning to step (4), and when the LD unit is not receiving LD signals, proceeding to step (8C);
(8C) issuing an advisory signal number 1 and causing a first timer to begin a countdown from an initial time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max;
(8D) determining whether the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal;
(8E) when the first timer reaches the maximum accumulated time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max and the motion sensor has not yet begun issuing a stationarity signal, transmitting an alarm signal number 2 and returning to step (8A);
(8F) when the motion sensor begins issuing a stationarity signal before the first timer reaches the maximum accumulated time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max deactivating the LD unit, deactivating the first timer, resetting the first timer accumulated time to Δ
t1=0, activating the signal generator and causing the signal generator to transmit a distinguishable signal;
(8G) providing a signal sensor, positioned at a selected location, that receives the distinguishable signal from the activated signal generator and that assigns a range attribute value A, having a real number value, to the received signal that is an approximate measure of the distance between the signal generator and the signal sensor;
(8H) determining whether the range attribute value A for the distinguishable signal, received from the signal generator, is less than a selected range attribute threshold value Athr, at a sequence of at least two times;
(8I) when A≧
Athr, continuing to compare the range attribute value A with the threshold value Athr and (8J) when A<
Athr (8J-1) transmitting an advisory signal number 2 and causing a second timer to begin a second countdown from a time Δ
t2=0 to a second selected maximum accumulated countdown time of Δ
t2=Δ
t2, max;
(8J-2) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal, and Δ
t2<
Δ
t2, max continuing to compare the range attribute value A with the threshold value Athr;
(8J-3) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal, and Δ
t2<
Δ
t2, max transmitting an alarm signal number 3, returning to step (8H);
(8J-4) when the second countdown has begun and the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, deactivating the second timer and resetting the second timer accumulated time to Δ
t2=0;
(8J-5) when the second countdown has begun and the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, activating the LD unit and causing a third timer to begin a countdown from an initial time Δ
t3=0 to a third selected maximum accumulated countdown time Δ
t3=Δ
t3, max;
(8J-6) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max determining if the LD unit has acquired LD signals;
(8J-7) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max and the LD unit has acquired LD signals, initializing and deactivating the third timer and returning to step (8A);
(8J-8) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max, and the LD unit has not acquired LD signals, returning to step (8J-6)]; and
(8J-9) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max and the LD unit has not acquired LD signals, deactivating and initializing the third time counter, transmitting an alarm signal number 4 and returning to step (8A).
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for monitoring the present location of a person (“confinee”) who is to be confined to a designated site, which site can have a diameter as small as a few meters or as large as several kilometers. The present location of the confinee is checked at selected time intervals with time periods ranging from one second to thousands of seconds, as desired. The confinee wears a location-determining (“LD”) unit that receives electromagnetic signals that contain information allowing determination of the present location of the LD unit, and thus of the confinee, from three or more non-collinear outdoor LD signal sources and from three or more non-collinear indoor LD signal sources. The indoor LD signal sources may be radiowave transmitters. The outdoor LD signal sources may be transmitters for a Loran, Omega, Decca, Tacan, JTIDS Relnav or PLRS or similar ground-based system, or transmitters for a satellite positioning system, such as OPS or GLONASS. The relative phases or transmission times for the signals from each indoor LD signal source are determined and provided for the LD unit. The present location or change location of the LD unit is determined and compared with the permitted site location coordinates at a sequence of selected times to determine if the confinee is present at the site at such times. The LD unit issues an alarm signal if the confinee is not on the site and has not arranged beforehand to leave the permitted site for a selected time interval, The permitted site can be redefined, for a selected time interval, to include the first permitted site, a second permitted site and a corridor extending between the first and second permitted sites for a selected time interval, after which the permitted site can be changed again to include only the first or the second permitted site or a portion thereof. This allows the confinee to temporarily leave the original permitted site to seek medical attention or to attend to other needs, or to be moved permanently to the second site. The permitted site can be redefined at any time and for any subsequent time interval. One or more exclusion sites can be designated where the confinee is not permitted to go at any time.
307 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method for monitoring the location of a monitored person (MP) with reference to a permitted site, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(1) designating a site, having a connected and closed curve or surface of arbitrary shape as a site boundary, as a permitted site;
(2) permitting an MP to move on the permitted site;
(3) receiving location determination (LD) signals at an LD unit attached to the MP that allow determination of the present location of the MP;
(4) determining the present location of the MP, using the LD unit;
(5) when the MP is not on the permitted site at one or more of the location determination times, transmitting an alarm signal number 1;
(6) providing a signal generator that is attached to the MP'"'"'s body and that, when activated, transmits a distinguishable electromagnetic signal;
(7) providing the MP with a motion sensor that, when the sensor is substantially motionless, issues a stationarity signal;
(8) when the MP is on the permitted site;
(8A) determining whether the LD unit is receiving LD signals;
(8B) when the LD unit is receiving LD signals, returning to step (4), and when the LD unit is not receiving LD signals, proceeding to step (8C);
(8C) issuing an advisory signal number 1 and causing a first timer to begin a countdown from an initial time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max;
(8D) determining whether the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal;
(8E) when the first timer reaches the maximum accumulated time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max and the motion sensor has not yet begun issuing a stationarity signal, transmitting an alarm signal number 2 and returning to step (8A);
(8F) when the motion sensor begins issuing a stationarity signal before the first timer reaches the maximum accumulated time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max deactivating the LD unit, deactivating the first timer, resetting the first timer accumulated time to Δ
t1=0, activating the signal generator and causing the signal generator to transmit a distinguishable signal;
(8G) providing a signal sensor, positioned at a selected location, that receives the distinguishable signal from the activated signal generator and that assigns a range attribute value A, having a real number value, to the received signal that is an approximate measure of the distance between the signal generator and the signal sensor;
(8H) determining whether the range attribute value A for the distinguishable signal, received from the signal generator, is less than a selected range attribute threshold value Athr, at a sequence of at least two times;
(8I) when A≧
Athr, continuing to compare the range attribute value A with the threshold value Athr and(8J) when A<
Athr(8J-1) transmitting an advisory signal number 2 and causing a second timer to begin a second countdown from a time Δ
t2=0 to a second selected maximum accumulated countdown time of Δ
t2=Δ
t2, max;
(8J-2) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal, and Δ
t2<
Δ
t2, max continuing to compare the range attribute value A with the threshold value Athr;
(8J-3) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal, and Δ
t2<
Δ
t2, max transmitting an alarm signal number 3, returning to step (8H);
(8J-4) when the second countdown has begun and the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, deactivating the second timer and resetting the second timer accumulated time to Δ
t2=0;
(8J-5) when the second countdown has begun and the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, activating the LD unit and causing a third timer to begin a countdown from an initial time Δ
t3=0 to a third selected maximum accumulated countdown time Δ
t3=Δ
t3, max;
(8J-6) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max determining if the LD unit has acquired LD signals;
(8J-7) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max and the LD unit has acquired LD signals, initializing and deactivating the third timer and returning to step (8A);
(8J-8) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max, and the LD unit has not acquired LD signals, returning to step (8J-6)]; and
(8J-9) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max and the LD unit has not acquired LD signals, deactivating and initializing the third time counter, transmitting an alarm signal number 4 and returning to step (8A).- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 21)
selecting an exclusion site, spaced apart from said permitted site, onto which said MP is not permitted to go; and
when said MP is on the exclusion site at one or more of the location determination times, transmitting an alarm signal number 5.
-
-
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of causing said LD unit to deliver to said MP'"'"'s body a chemical that temporarily disables said MP, when said present location of said LD unit is determined to be within said exclusion site.
-
21. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
-
(9) designating a second site, having a connected and closed curve or surface of arbitrary shape as a site boundary and being spaced apart from said first permitted site, as a second permitted site;
(10) selecting a corridor that extends between and is connected to the first site and the second site, where the combined region consisting of said first permitted site, the second permitted site and the corridor has a closed continuous curve of arbitrary shape as a combined region boundary;
(11) redefining, for a first selected time interval, the permitted site to include said first permitted site, the second permitted site and the corridor; and
redefining, for a second selected time interval the permitted site to include at least one of said first permitted site and the second permitted site.
-
-
6. A method for monitoring the location of a monitored person (MP) with reference to a permitted site, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(1) designating a site, having a connected and closed curve or surface of arbitrary shape as a site boundary, as a permitted site;
(2) permitting an MP to move on the permitted site;
(3) receiving location determination (LD) signals at an LD signal receiver unit attached to the MP that allow determination of the present location of the MP;
(4) determining the present location of the MP, using the LD unit;
(5) when the MP is not on the permitted site at one or more of the location determination times, transmitting an alarm signal number 1;
(6) providing a signal generator that is attached to the MP'"'"'s body and that, when activated, transmits a distinguishable electromagnetic signal;
(7) providing the MP with a motion sensor that, when the sensor is substantially motionless, issues a stationarity signal;
(8) when the MP is on the permitted site;
(8A) determining whether the LD unit is receiving LD signals;
(8B) when the LD unit is receiving LD signals, returning to step (4), and when the LD unit is not receiving LD signals, proceeding to step (8C);
(8C) issuing an advisory signal number 1 and causing a first timer to begin a countdown from an initial time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max;
(8D) determining whether the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal;
(8E) when the first timer reaches the maximum accumulated time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max and the motion sensor has not yet begun issuing a stationarity signal, transmitting an alarm signal number 2 and returning to step (8A);
(8F) when the motion sensor begins issuing a stationarity signal before the first timer reaches the maximum accumulated time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max deactivating the LD unit, deactivating the first timer, resetting the first timer accumulated time to Δ
t1=0, activating the signal generator and causing the signal generator to transmit a distinguishable signal;
(8G) providing a signal sensor, positioned at a selected location, that receives the distinguishable signal from the activated signal generator and that assigns a range attribute value A, having a real number value, to the received signal that is an approximate measure of the distance between the signal generator and the signal sensor;
(8H) determining whether the range attribute value A for the distinguishable signal, received from the signal generator, is less than a selected range attribute threshold value Athr, at a sequence of at least two times;
(8I) when A≧
Athr, continuing to compare the range attribute value A with the threshold value Athr; and
(8J) when A<
Athr;
(8J-1) transmitting an advisory signal number 2 and causing a second timer to begin a second countdown from a time Δ
t2=0 to a second selected maximum accumulated countdown time of Δ
t2=Δ
t2, max;
(8J-2) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal, and Δ
t2<
Δ
t2, max continuing to compare the range attribute value A with the threshold value Athr;
(8J-3) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal, and Δ
t2<
Δ
t2, max transmitting an alarm number 3, returning to step (8H);
(8J-4) when the second countdown has begun and the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, deactivating the second timer and resetting the second timer accumulated time to Δ
t2=0;
(8J-5) when the second countdown has begun and the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, activating the LD unit and causing a third timer to begin a countdown from an initial time Δ
t3 =0 to a third selected maximum accumulated countdown time Δ
t3=Δ
t3, max;
(8J-6) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max determining if the LD unit has acquired LD signals;
(8J-7) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max, and the LD unit has acquired LD signals, initializing and deactivating the third timer and returning to step (8A);
(8J-8) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max, and the LD unit has not acquired LD signals, returning to step (8J-6)]; and
(8J-9) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max and the LD unit has not acquired LD signals, deactivating and initializing the third time counter, transmitting an alarm signal 4 and returning to step (8A).- View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 22)
selecting an exclusion site, spaced apart from said permitted site, onto which said MP is not permitted to go; and
when said MP is on the exclusion site at one or more of the location determination times, transmitting an alarm signal number 5.
-
-
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of causing said LD unit to deliver to said MP'"'"'s body a chemical that temporarily disables said MP, when said present location of said LD unit is determined to be within said exclusion site.
-
22. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:
-
(9) designating a second site, having a connected and closed curve or surface of arbitrary shape as a site boundary and being spaced apart from said first permitted site, as a second permitted site;
(10) selecting a corridor that extends between and is connected to the first site and the second site, where the combined region consisting of said first permitted site, the second permitted site and the corridor has a closed continuous curve of arbitrary shape as a combined region boundary;
(11) redefining, for a first selected time interval, the permitted site to include said first permitted site, the second permitted site and the corridor; and
redefining, for a second selected time interval the permitted site to include at least one of said first permitted site and the second permitted site.
-
-
11. A method for monitoring the location of a monitored person (MP) with reference to a permitted site, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(1) designating a site, having a connected and closed curve or surface of arbitrary shape as a site boundary, as a permitted site;
(2) permitting an MP to move on the permitted site;
(3) receiving location determination (LD) signals at an LD unit attached to the MP that allow determination of the present location of the MP;
(4) determining the present location of the MP, using the LD unit;
(5) when the MP is not on the permitted site at one or more of the location determination times, transmitting an alarm signal number 1;
(6) providing a signal generator that is attached to the MP'"'"'s body and that, when activated, transmits a distinguishable electromagnetic signal;
(7) providing the MP with a motion sensor that, when the sensor is substantially motionless, issues a stationarity signal;
(8) providing the motion sensor with a motion counter having an initial value m=1 and having a selected maximum value m=mmax≧
1;
(9) setting the motion counter value m=1; and
(10) when the MP is on the permitted site;
(10A) determining whether the LD unit is receiving LD signals;
(10B) when the LD unit is receiving LD signals, returning to step (3), and when the LD unit is not receiving LD signals, proceeding to step (10C);
(10C) issuing an advisory signal number 1 and causing a first timer to begin a countdown from an initial time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max;
(10D) determining whether the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal;
(10E) when the first timer reaches the maximum accumulated time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max and the motion sensor has not yet begun issuing a stationarity signal, transmitting an alarm signal number 2 and returning to step (8A);
(10F) when the motion sensor begins issuing a stationarity signal before the first timer reaches the maximum accumulated time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max, deactivating the LD unit, deactivating the first timer, resetting the first timer accumulated time to Δ
t1=0, activating the signal generator and causing the signal generator to transmit a distinguishable signal;
(10G) providing a signal sensor, positioned at a selected location, that receives the distinguishable signal from the activated signal generator and that assigns a range attribute value A, having a real number value, to the received signal that is an approximate measure of the distance between the signal generator and the signal sensor;
(10H) determining whether the range attribute value A for the distinguishable signal, received from the signal generator, is less than a selected range attribute threshold value Athr, at a sequence of at least two times;
(10I) when A≧
Athr, continuing to compare the range attribute value A with the threshold value Athr; and
(10J) when A<
Athr;
(10J-1) transmitting an advisory signal number 2 and causing a second timer to begin a second countdown from a time Δ
t2=0 to a second selected maximum accumulated countdown time of Δ
t2=Δ
t2, max;
(10J-2) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal, and Δ
t2<
Δ
t2, max continuing to compare the range attribute value A with the threshold value Athr;
(10J-3) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal, and Δ
t2<
Δ
t2, max transmitting an alarm signal number 3, returning to step (10H);
(10J-4) when the second countdown has begun and the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, deactivating the second timer, resetting the second timer accumulated time to Δ
t2=0, replacing the motion counter value m by an incremented value m+1 and determining if the incremented value satisfies m>
mmax;
(10J-5) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and m≦
mmax;
returning to step (10A);
(10J-6) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and m>
mmax, determining if a new monitoring interval has begun;
(10J-7) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax and a new monitoring interval has begun, resetting the motion counter to m=1, and proceeding to step (10J-9);
(10J-8) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax and a new monitoring interval has not begun, proceeding to step (10J-9);
(10J-9) activating the LD unit and causing a third timer to begin a countdown from an initial time Δ
t3=0 to a third selected maximum accumulated countdown time Δ
t3=Δ
t3, max;
(10J-10) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax, a new monitoring interval has not begun and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max determining if the LD unit has acquired LD signals;
(10J-11) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax, a new monitoring interval has not begun, Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max and the LD unit has acquired LD signals, initializing and deactivating the third timer and returning to step (10A);
(10J-12) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax, a new monitoring interval has not begun, Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max and the LD unit has not acquired LD signals, returning to step (10J-10); and
(10J-13) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax, a new monitoring interval has not begun, Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max and the LD unit has not acquired LD signals, deactivating and initializing the third time counter, transmitting an alarm signal number 4 and returning to step (10A).- View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 23)
selecting an exclusion site, spaced apart from said permitted site, onto which said MP is not permitted to go; and
when said MP is on the exclusion site at one or more of the location determination times, transmitting an alarm signal number 5.
-
-
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of causing said LD unit to deliver to said MP'"'"'s body a chemical that temporarily disables said MP, when said present location of said LD unit is determined to be within said exclusion site.
-
23. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
-
(11) designating a second site, having a connected and closed curve or surface of arbitrary shape as a site boundary and being spaced apart from said first permitted site, as a second permitted site;
(12) selecting a corridor that extends between and is connected to the first site and the second site, where the combined region consisting of said first permitted site, the second permitted site and the corridor has a closed continuous curve of arbitrary shape as a combined region boundary;
(13) redefining, for a first selected time interval, the permitted site to include said first permitted site, the second permitted site and the corridor; and
redefining, for a second selected time interval the permitted site to include at least one of said first permitted site and the second permitted site.
-
-
16. A method for monitoring the location of a monitored person (MP) with reference to a permitted site, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(1) designating a site, having a connected and closed curve or surface of arbitrary shape as a site boundary, as a permitted site;
(2) permitting an MP to move on the permitted site;
(3) receiving location determination (LD) signals at an LD unit attached to the MP that allow determination of the present location of the MP;
(4) determining the present location of the MP, using the LD unit;
(5) when the MP is not on the permitted site at one or more of the location determination times, transmitting an alarm signal number 1;
(6) providing a signal generator that is attached to the MP'"'"'s body and that, when activated, transmits a distinguishable electromagnetic signal;
(7) providing the MP with a motion sensor that, when the sensor is substantially motionless, issues a stationarity signal;
(8) providing the motion sensor with a motion counter having an initial value m=1 and having a selected maximum value m=mmax≦
1;
(9) setting the motion counter value m=1; and
(10) when the MP is on the permitted site;
(10A) determining whether the LD unit is receiving LD signals;
(10B) when the LD unit is receiving LD signals, returning to step (3), and when the LD unit is not receiving LD signals, proceeding to step (10C);
(10C) issuing an advisory signal number 1 and causing a first timer to begin a countdown from an initial time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max;
(10D) determining whether the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal;
(10E) when the first timer reaches the maximum accumulated time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max and the motion sensor has not yet begun issuing a stationarity signal, transmitting an alarm signal number 2 and returning to step (10A);
(10F) when the motion sensor begins issuing a stationarity signal before the first timer reaches the maximum accumulated time Δ
t1=Δ
t1, max deactivating the LD unit, deactivating the first timer, resetting the first timer accumulated time to Δ
t1=0, and activating the signal generator and causing the signal generator to transmit a distinguishable signal;
(10G) providing a signal sensor, attached to the MP'"'"'s body, that receives the distinguishable signal from the activated signal generator and that assigns a range attribute value A, having a real number value, to the received signal that is an approximate measure of the distance between the signal generator and the signal sensor;
(10H) determining whether the range attribute value A for the distinguishable signal, received from the signal generator, is less than a selected range attribute threshold value Athr, at a sequence of at least two times;
(10I) when A≧
Athr, continuing to compare the range attribute value A with the threshold value Athr; and
(10J) when A<
Athr;
(10J-1) transmitting an advisory signal number 2 and causing a second timer to begin a second countdown from a time Δ
t2=0 to a second selected maximum accumulated countdown time of Δ
t2=Δ
t2, max;
(10J-2) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal, and Δ
t2<
Δ
t2, max continuing to compare the range attribute value A with the threshold value Athr;
(10J-3) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is issuing a stationarity signal, and Δ
t2<
Δ
t2, max transmitting an alarm signal number 3, returning to step (10H);
(10J-4) when the second countdown has begun and the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, deactivating the second timer, resetting the second timer accumulated time to Δ
t2=0, replacing the motion counter value m by an incremented value m+1 and determining if the incremented value satisfies m>
mmax;
(10J-5) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and m≦
mmax;
returning to step (10A);
(10J-6) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal and m>
mmax, determining if a new monitoring interval has begun;
(10J-7) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax and a new monitoring interval has begun, resetting the motion counter to m=1, and proceeding to step (10J-9);
(10J-8) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax and a new monitoring interval has not begun, proceeding to step (10J-9);
(10J-9) activating the LD unit and causing a-third timer to begin a countdown from an initial time Δ
t3=0 to a third selected maximum accumulated countdown time Δ
t3=Δ
t3, max;
(10J-10) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax, a new monitoring interval has not begun and Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max determining if the LD unit has acquired LD signals;
(10J-11) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax, a new monitoring interval has not begun, Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max and the LD unit has acquired LD signals, initializing and deactivating the third timer and returning to step (10A);
(10J-12) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax, a new monitoring interval has not begun, Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max and the LD unit has not acquired LD signals, returning to step (10J-10); and
(10J-13) when the second countdown has begun, the motion sensor is not issuing a stationarity signal, m>
mmax, a new monitoring interval has not begun, Δ
t3≦
Δ
t3, max and the LD unit has not acquired LD signals, deactivating and initializing the third time counter, transmitting an alarm signal number 4 and returning to step (10A).- View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 24)
selecting an exclusion site, spaced apart from said permitted site, onto which said MP is not permitted to go; and
when said MP is on the exclusion site at one or more of the location determination times, transmitting an alarm signal number 5.
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20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of causing said LD unit to deliver to said MP'"'"'s body a chemical that temporarily disables said MP, when said present location of said LD unit is determined to be within said exclusion site.
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24. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:
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(11) designating a second site, having a connected and closed curve or surface of arbitrary shape as a site boundary and being spaced apart from said first permitted site, as a second permitted site;
(12) selecting a corridor that extends between and is connected to the first site and the second site, where the combined region consisting of said first permitted site, the second permitted site and the corridor has a closed continuous curve of arbitrary shape as a combined region boundary;
(13) redefining, for a first selected time interval, the permitted site to include said first permitted site, the second permitted site and the corridor; and
redefining, for a second selected time interval the permitted site to include at least one of said first permitted site and the second permitted site.
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25. A method for monitoring the location of a monitored person (MP) with reference to a permitted site, the method comprising the steps of:
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(1) receiving location determination (LD) signals at an LD unit attached to an MP who moves on a selected permitted site, and determining the present location of the MP, using the LD unit, at one or more selected LD times;
(2) when the MP'"'"'s location is not on the permitted site at each of a selected number N of consecutive LD times, transmitting a first alarm signal;
(3) attaching to the MP'"'"'s body a motion sensor that senses when the sensor is in motion;
(4) when the MP'"'"'s last location was on the permitted site and the LD unit does not receive LD signals adequate for determining the MP'"'"'s present location, determining whether the motion sensor senses motion; and
(5) when (i) the motion sensor senses motion and (ii) the LD unit does not receive LD signals, determining a first accumulated time during which the two conditions (i) and (ii) both occur, and issuing a second alarm signal when the first accumulated time reaches a selected maximum accumulated time Δ
t1, max;
(6) when said motion sensor becomes substantially motionless before said first accumulated time reaches said time Δ
t1, max, resetting said first accumulated time to a selected initial value and causing a signal generator, attached to the MP'"'"'s body to transmit a distinguishable signal;
(7) receiving the distinguishable signal at a signal sensor, positioned at a selected location, and comparing an attribute for this signal with a selected attribute threshold value;
(8) when the signal attribute is not greater than the threshold value, returning to step (7);
(9) when the signal attribute is at least equal to the threshold value determining a second accumulated time during which the signal attribute is at least equal to the threshold value;
(10) When the second accumulated time reaches a second selected maximum accumulated time Δ
t2, max issuing a third alarm signal; and
(11) when said attribute value becomes less than said attribute threshold value before said second accumulated time reaches said time Δ
t2, max resetting said second accumulated time to zero.
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26. A method for monitoring the location of a monitored person (MP) with reference to a permitted site, the method comprising the steps of:
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(1) receiving location determination (LD) signals at an LD unit attached to an MP who moves on a selected permitted site, and determining the present location of the MP, using the LD unit;
(2) when the MP is not on the permitted site at one or more of the location determination times, transmitting a first alarm signal;
(3) providing the MP with a motion sensor that senses when the sensor is in motion and when the sensor is substantially motionless;
(4) when the MP is on the permitted site and the LD unit does not receive LD signals adequate for determining the MP'"'"'s present location, determining whether the motion sensor senses motion;
(5) when (i) the motion sensor senses motion and (ii) the LD unit does not receive LD signals, determining a first accumulated time during which the two conditions (i) and (ii) both occur, and when the first accumulated time Δ
t1,max, issuing a second alarm signal;
(6) when the motion sensor becomes substantially motionless before the first accumulated time reaches the Δ
t1,max, resetting the first accumulated time to a selected initial value and causing a signal generator, attached to the MP'"'"'s body to transmit a distinguishable signal;
(7) receiving the distinguishable signal at a signal sensor, positioned at a selected location, and estimating a distance between the signal generator and the signal sensor;
(8) when the estimated distance is no greater than a selected distance threshold value, returning to step (7);
(9) when the estimated distance is greater than the distance threshold value, determining a second accumulated time during which the estimated distance is greater than the distance threshold value;
(10) when the second accumulated time reaches a second selected maximum accumulated time Δ
t1,max, issuing a third alarm signal; and
(11) when the estimated distance becomes less than the distance threshold value before the second accumulated time reaches the time Δ
t1,max, resetting the second accumulated time to zero.
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27. A method for monitoring the location of a monitored person (MP) with reference to a permitted site, the method comprising the steps of:
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(1) receiving location determination (LD) signals at an LD unit attached to an MP that moves on a selected permitted site, and determining the present location of the MP, using the LD unit;
(2) when the MP is not on the permitted site at one or more of the location determination times, transmitting a first alarm signal;
(3) providing the MP with a motion sensor that senses when the sensor is in motion and when the sensor is substantially motionless;
(4) when the MP is on the permitted site and the LD unit does not receive LD signals for determining the MP'"'"'s present location, determining whether the motion sensor senses motion;
(5) when (i) the motion sensor senses motion and (ii) the LD unit does not receive LD signals, determining a first accumulated time during which the conditions (i) and (ii) both occur, and when the first accumulated reaches a first selected maximum accumulated time Δ
t1,max, issuing a second alarm signal;
(6) when the motion sensor becomes substantially motionless before the first accumulated time reaches the Δ
t1,max, resetting the first accumulated time to a selected initial value and causing a signal generator, positioned at a selected location, to transmit a distinguishable signal;
(7) receiving the distinguishable signal at a signal sensor, attached to the MP'"'"'s body, and estimating a distance between the signal generator and the signal sensor;
(8) when the estimated distance is no greater than a selected distance threshold value, returning to step (7);
(9) when the estimated distance is greater than the distance threshold value, determining a second accumulated time during which the estimated distance is greater than the distance threshold value;
(10) when the second accumulated time reaches a second selected maximum accumulated time Δ
t2,max, issuing a third alarm signal; and
(11) when the estimated distance becomes less than the distance threshold value before the second accumulated time reaches the time Δ
t2,max, resetting the second accumulated time to zero.
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28. A method for monitoring the location of a monitored person (MP) with reference to a permitted site, the method comprising the steps of:
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(1) receiving location determination (LD) signals at an LD unit attached to an. MP who moves on a selected permitted site, and determining the present location of the MP, using the LD unit, at one or more selected LD times;
(2) when the MP'"'"'s location is not on the permitted site at each of a selected number N of consecutive LD times, transmitting a first alarm signal;
(3) attaching to the MP'"'"'s body a motion sensor that senses when the sensor is in motion;
(4) when the MP'"'"'s last location was on the permitted site and the LD unit does not receive LD signals adequate for determining the MP'"'"'s present location, determining whether the motion sensor senses motion; and
(5) when (i) the motion sensor senses motion and (ii) the LD unit does not receive LD signals, determining a first accumulated time during which the two conditions (i) and (ii) both occur, and issuing a second alarm signal when the first accumulated time reaches a selected maximum accumulated time Δ
t1,max;
(6) when said motion sensor becomes substantially motionless before said first accumulated time reaches said time Δ
t1, max resetting said first accumulated time to a selected initial value and causing a signal generator, positioned at a selected location, to transmit a distinguishable signal;
(7) receiving the distinguishable signal at a signal sensor, positioned at a selected location, and comparing an attribute for this signal with a selected attribute threshold value;
(8) when the signal attribute is not greater than the threshold value, returning to step (7);
(9) when the signal attribute is at least equal to the threshold value, determining a second accumulated time during which the signal attribute is at least equal to the threshold value; and
(10) When the second accumulated time reaches a second selected maximum accumulated time Δ
t2, max issuing a third alarm signal; and
(11) when said attribute value becomes less than said attribute threshold value before said second accumulated time reaches said time Δ
t2, max resetting said second accumulated time to zero.
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Specification