Apparatus and method for locating missing persons, animals, and objects
First Claim
1. A method for locating a missing person, animal, or object, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a transponder having an access code that identifies said transponder, said transponder configured to receive an interrogation radio signal and transmit a response radio signal, said transponder transmitting said response radio signal in response to receiving said interrogation radio signal if said interrogation radio signal includes a code matching said access code;
(b) determining said access code corresponding to said transponder;
(c) transmitting said interrogation radio signal including said access code from a transmitter located aboard an Earth-orbiting satellite;
(d) receiving said response radio signal;
(e) measuring a Doppler shift in frequency of said response radio signal; and
(f) calculating a position of said transponder based on said Doppler shift.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A micropower transponder operates in conjunction with a constellation of low-to-medium Earth-orbiting communication satellites. The transponder is attached to a person, animal, or object. The location of a missing person, animal, or lost object is ascertained by locating the transponder associated with that person, animal, or object. The transponder may be hidden in the individual'"'"'s hair, timepiece, jewelry, or article of clothing; may be swallowed by the individual; may be implanted under the individual'"'"'s skin; or incorporated into an inconspicuous hand-held device such as a cellular telephone, pager, or calculator. The transponder includes a receiver for receiving an interrogation radio signal and a transmitter for transmitting a response radio signal. The transponder transmits the response radio signal in response to the interrogation radio signal if the interrogation radio signal includes a code matching the access code stored in the transponder. The Doppler shift in frequency of the response radio signal is measured and the Doppler shift is used to determine the location of the transponder.
294 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for locating a missing person, animal, or object, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a transponder having an access code that identifies said transponder, said transponder configured to receive an interrogation radio signal and transmit a response radio signal, said transponder transmitting said response radio signal in response to receiving said interrogation radio signal if said interrogation radio signal includes a code matching said access code;
(b) determining said access code corresponding to said transponder;
(c) transmitting said interrogation radio signal including said access code from a transmitter located aboard an Earth-orbiting satellite;
(d) receiving said response radio signal;
(e) measuring a Doppler shift in frequency of said response radio signal; and
(f) calculating a position of said transponder based on said Doppler shift. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10)
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7. A transponder adapted for connection to a hand-held device, said transponder comprising:
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means for storing an identification access code;
means for receiving an interrogation radio signal; and
means for transmitting a response radio signal to an Earth-orbiting satellite, said transponder transmitting said response radio signal in response to receiving said interrogation radio signal if said radio signal includes a code matching said access code. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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11. A monitoring station comprising:
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a database for storing data regarding a plurality of transponders; and
a first communication system configured to communicate with one or more Earth-orbiting satellites, said satellites configured to send interrogation signals to a transponder, said transponder configured to receive and reply to said interrogation signals;
a second communication system, said communication system configured to provide a client with data regarding a location of said transponder; and
a data processing system, said data processing system configured to;
determine said location of said transponder on an event basis;
determine said location of said transponder on a monitored basis; and
respond to status information embedded in said response signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of remotely and interactively communication with an monitoring the location of a transponder comprising the steps of:
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establishing a monitoring station for maintaining location, and other data with respect to said transponder; and
transmitting location and condition information from said transponder to said monitoring station by inputting information to a transponder worn by said individual, transmitting said information by said transponder to a satellite, and relaying said information by said satellite to said monitoring station;
broadcasting interrogations by said monitoring station for receipt and relay by said satellite to said transponder, said transponder alerting said individual to the receipt of said interrogations;
providing at least one microcontroller in said transponder which supports a continuous monitoring of interrogations, alarm conditions, and data from a micro electromechanical sensor; and
providing at least one microprocessor in said transponder which supports accumulating said data for transmission and sending said data as a single compressed data packet to said monitoring station.
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22. A system for locating and monitoring an individual comprising:
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a monitoring station for maintaining location information and other data regarding said individual; and
a transponder worn by said individual in a manner for conveniently receiving medical and other information inputted directly from said individual, said transponder configured to communicate with a satellite for transmitting said information to said monitoring station, said satellite configured to collect data used to determine the location of said transponder, said transponder including vibratory annunciator means for alerting said individual to receipt of a signal from said monitoring station, said transponder worn by said individual in a manner to permit convenient access to input and receive information, said transponder further comprising buttons for initiating transmittal of emergency conditions representing different types of emergencies including “
lost”
, “
medical”
, and “
abducted”
, said transponder further comprising a pressure sensitive actuator for initiating an alarm signal to be sent to said monitoring station, said transponder further comprising one or more biometric sensors for obtaining biometric data from said individual, said transponder configured to initiate the transmission of an emergency condition in the event that an anomaly is detected in said biometric data.
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Specification