Personal location detection system
First Claim
1. A personal locator device comprising:
- a) a portable housing able to be worn about the wrist of a user;
b) means for establishing a wireless communication with a central station, said establishing means including a wireless transmitter and wireless receiver;
c) means for contacting a Global Positioning Satellite system for determining a location of said locator device, wherein upon receipt of a location request signal by said wireless receiver from the central station, said locator unit activates said contacting means to contact the GPS system and calculate location data therefrom, and upon completion of the location data calculation, said wireless transmitter transmitting said location data to the central station for analysis;
d) means for power control of GPS unit and communication transmitter to maximize battery life;
e) said portable housing displaying a clock which is set when wireless communication is established with said central station;
f) a key for latching the device about the wrist of the user and a latching mechanism activated by a latching command received from the central station for latching said device about the wrist of the user; and
g) an ultrasonic beacon generator for generating a beacon signal for aiding a person in pinpointing a location of the device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A personal locator system for determining the location of a locator unit. The system includes a locator device in communication with both a central station and a GPS satellite. The locator unit includes a portable housing able to be worn about the wrist of a user. A communication system is positioned within the housing for contacting the central station and includes a transmitter and receiver. A GPS unit is also positioned within the housing for contacting the GPS system for determining a location of said locator device. Upon receipt of a location request signal by the receiver from the central station, the locator unit activates the GPS unit to contact the GPS system and receive location data therefrom. Upon receipt of the location data, the transmitter transmits the location data to the central station for analysis. A panic button is provided for transmitting an emergency signal to the central station and initiating detecting the location of the locator unit. A non-emergency call button is provided for transmitting a location request signal to the central station and in response thereto, informing a person on the contact list as to the location of the locator device. The communication system utilizes one of a POTS, cellular, PCS or internet communications network. A tamper detection sensor detects when said device is tampered with. A beacon generator generates an ultrasonic or radio frequency beacon signal for aiding a person in pinpointing a location of the device.
698 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A personal locator device comprising:
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a) a portable housing able to be worn about the wrist of a user;
b) means for establishing a wireless communication with a central station, said establishing means including a wireless transmitter and wireless receiver;
c) means for contacting a Global Positioning Satellite system for determining a location of said locator device, wherein upon receipt of a location request signal by said wireless receiver from the central station, said locator unit activates said contacting means to contact the GPS system and calculate location data therefrom, and upon completion of the location data calculation, said wireless transmitter transmitting said location data to the central station for analysis;
d) means for power control of GPS unit and communication transmitter to maximize battery life;
e) said portable housing displaying a clock which is set when wireless communication is established with said central station;
f) a key for latching the device about the wrist of the user and a latching mechanism activated by a latching command received from the central station for latching said device about the wrist of the user; and
g) an ultrasonic beacon generator for generating a beacon signal for aiding a person in pinpointing a location of the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for locating a person or object, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) attaching a locator unit to the object or person to be tracked and using a key receiving a remote signal from a control station to latch a latching mechanism;
b) upon receipt of a location request from a subscriber, transmitting a signal from said control station to the locator unit requesting a location of the locator unit;
c) activating a GPS unit connected to the locator unit for receiving GPS satellite signals;
d) aiding GPS signal acquisition to reduce time to first fix by use of voltage information from clock phase lock loop tracking PCS tower clock;
e) calculating location data from the GPS signals;
f) transmitting the location data to the central unit for analysis to determine the location of the locator unit;
g) informing the subscriber of the location of the locator unit;
h) generating a beacon by said locator unit for aiding the subscriber in locating the locator unit when at close range;
i) activating the locator unit to contact the central station and initiate generation of a location request signal upon activation of a non-emergency call button on the locator unit;
j) contacting a person identified on a contact list stored by the central station upon receipt of location data from the locator unit;
k) activating a panic button on the locator unit to contact the central station and initiate generation of a location request signal for use by an emergency service upon activation of a panic button on the locator unit;
l) suspending operation of the locator unit for a predetermined settable time period upon activation of an air mode button;
m) monitoring the power level of the locator unit by the central station; and
n) setting the time on a clock displayed on said locator unit when wireless communication is established with said central station.
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Specification