Personal monitoring system

• US 6,236,319 B1
• Filed: 07/30/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beryl E. Pitzer, John O. Ghazarian
• Original Assignee: Beryl E. Pitzer, John O. Ghazarian
• Inventors: Pitzer, Beryl E., Ghazarian, John O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US09/364,940
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.4, 340/573.3, 340/572.9, 340/572.8
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/0005 by means of alarm devices for persons falling into the water, e.g. by signalling, by controlling the propulsion or manoeuvring means of the boat alarms responsive to presence of persons in a body of water in general G08B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A body worn transmitter periodically transmits a coded rf signal from a rolling code generator, which is received by a base unit at the location where a person is confined, which base unit has a rolling code generator synchronized to produce the same random code signal for comparison. If proper coded signals are not received, a report is sent via telephone to a remote monitoring station. The body worn transmitter is designed to detect and defeat attempts at removal. The body worn transmitter is also used to detect the presence of a person at a particular location. By programming the time of rf transmissions, a large number of body worn transmitters can be monitored at a given location.

Claims

1. A body worn personal monitor comprising:

a case containing an rf transmitter;

a battery for powering said transmitter and a control for periodically causing a coded signal to be transmitted by said transmitter;

an elongated flexible band connected at either end to said case to enable encircling of a body member to allow wearing of said case by a person to be monitored;

an electrically conductive element extending within said band and electrically connected at each end thereof to an electronic detector in said case;

a connector for detachably connecting one end of said band to said casing including an electrical terminal for establishing an electrical connection between said conductive element and said detector in said casing;

said detector sensing and storing said resistance value of a circuit including said conductive element when said band is installed, and means causing ceasing transmission of said coded signal if a different resistance value is sensed, whereby if said band is cut and said circuit completed by another conductor, the difference in resistance will cause a cessation of rf signal transmission.

2. The monitor according to claim 1 wherein said flexible band is marked in segments able to be cut off when being fit to the body member of a person to be monitored.

3. The monitor according to claim 2 wherein each band segment has a pair of mounting holes formed therein at a predetermined lengthwise position on each segment, and wherein said casing has socket portion formed with holes aligning with said holes in each segment when a particular segment is inserted in said socket, a pair of fasteners received in said holes to secure said one end of said band to said casing.

4. The monitor according to claim 3 further including an rf antenna embedded in a portion of said band.

5. The monitor according to claim 4 wherein said antenna is doubled within said band portion.

6. The monitor according to claim 1 further including an activation key insertable in a socket on one side of said casing transmitting a coded signal to said detector upon initial fitting to enable activation of said rf transmitter.