Security and tracking system

• US 6,510,380 B1
• Filed: 03/30/2000
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: C2 Global Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: C2 Global Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Curatolo, Benedict S., Cornelius, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US09/538,193
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.07, 342/357, 342/457, 342/196, 342/357.06, 342/357.09, 342/357.01, 701/200-215, 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/825.54, 340/573, 340/988, 340/989, 340/990, 340/426, 340/539, 128/639, 128/734, 128/903, 600/300, 600/309, 600/481, 343/713, 343/846, 343/848, 455/511, 455/422, 455/419, 455/410, 455/403, 174/35.R, 298/56
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0036 of measured values, i.e. measurement on mobile and position calculation on base station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0213 System disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded disabling electrical appliances in case of unplugging G08B13/1409
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM

Abstract

A security and tracking apparatus is provided, comprising at least two signaling units in communicating proximity, and means for identifying the location of the signaling units. In one embodiment, a security and tracking apparatus is provided, comprising at least two signaling units in communicating proximity, and means for identifying and automatically transmitting the location of the signaling units when the signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance. In a preferred embodiment, a method is provided to locate a person, an animal, or a material asset, comprising providing in contact with the person, animal, or material asset, at least two signaling units in communicating proximity, wherein at least one signaling unit is small and hidden and securely attached to the person, animal, or material asset, and the signaling units having means for identifying the location of the signaling units to a monitoring station; activating means for identifying the location of the signaling units by referencing the global positioning satellite (GPS) system; and notifying the monitoring station of said geographic location.

Claims

1. A method to locate a person, animal, or material object, comprising:

(a) providing in contact with the person, animal, or material object, at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, said second signaling unit in communicating proximity with said first signaling unit, each said signaling units having means for identifying the location of each said signaling units and means for transmitting the location of each said signaling units when the first and second signaling units are separated more than a preselected distance;

(b) activating said means to identify the location;

(c) transmitting the information identifying the location of at least one of the signaling units to a monitoring station;

(d) transmitting the information identifying the location of the at least one of the signaling units from the monitoring station to a remote receiver; and

(e) transmitting the description of said individual, animal or material object from the monitoring station to the remote receiver.

2. The method of claim 1, including automatically activating the transmission of the location of the signaling units when said signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance.

3. The method of claim 1, including initiating the transmission of the information identifying the location of the signaling units upon receiving instructions from a remote source.

4. The method of claim 1, including signaling the signaling units from a monitoring station to initiate the transmission of the information identifying the location of the signaling units.

5. The method of claim 1, including activating at least one of the signaling units to initiate the transmission of information identifying the location of the signaling units.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit is small, and wherein providing said signaling unit includes hiding said small unit in a wearable article.

7. The method of claim 1, including obtaining the location of the signaling units from the global positioning satellite (GPS) system.

8. The method of claim 1, including obtaining the location of the signaling units within an unlimited range from a monitoring station.

9. The method of claim 1, including operating the signaling units in a passive mode when said signaling units are in communicating proximity.

10. The method of claim 1, including continuously transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units.

11. The method of claim 1, including intermittenty transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units.

12. The method of claim 1, including transmitting in an encrypted for in the information identifying the location of the signaling units.

13. The method of claim 1, including transmitting additional information from the monitoring station to the remote receiver.

14. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the description of the individual from the monitoring station to the remote receiver.

15. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the description of the animal from the monitoring station to the remote receiver.

16. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the description of the material object from the monitoring station to the remote receiver.

17. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to the remote receiver using radio waves.

18. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to the remote receiver using the internet.

19. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to the remote receiver using a telephone network.

20. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to the remote receiver using a cellular network.

21. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to the remote receiver using low earth orbit satellites.

22. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units with an accuracy of about 100 meters.

23. The method of claim 1, including transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units with an accuracy of about 22 meters.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein said signaling units include means for automatically transmitting the location of each signaling unit when the signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein said signaling units include means for receiving an initiating signal for activating the transmission of information identifying the location of the signaling units.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein said signaling units include means for initiating the transmission of information identifying the location of the signaling units by at least one of the signaling units.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the signaling units is adapted to be hidden.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the means for identifying the location of the signaling units includes antenna means for communicating with the global positioning satellite (GPS) system.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the means for identifying the location of the signaling units includes antenna means for communicating with low earth orbit satellites.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the means for identifying the location of the signaling units includes antenna means for communicating with a cellular network.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit is small enough to be able to be hidden in a wearable article.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into at least one of an article of clothing, a shoe, a watch, a wristband, a bracelet, an identification card, an article of jewelry, a hair accessory, eyeglasses, and an animal collar.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit is securely attached to the individual.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit is securely attached to the animal.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit is securely attached to the material object.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into at least one of a credit card, a wallet, a cellular phone, a pager, a motor vehicle, a boat, an aircraft, a television, a radio, a stereo, a tape player, a compact disc player, a camera, a movie camera, a computer, a printer, a laptop computer, a briefcase, a suitcase, a weapon, an article of clothing, an article of jewelry, and an article of artwork.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into at least one of a molded article, an extruded article, and a sewn article.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of providing contact of at least one signaling unit is by means of an adhesive.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the mode of providing contact of at least one signaling unit is by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein said signaling units include means for transmitting a continuous signal.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein said signaling units include means for transmitting an intermittent signal.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein said signaling units include means for transmitting an encrypted signal.

43. The method of claim 1, using a security and tracking system comprising:

(a) a first of said signaling units having means for identifying the location of said signaling unit;

(b) a second of said signaling units in communicating proximity with the first signaling unit, said second signaling unit having means for identifying the location of said second signaling unit;

and

(c) the monitoring station capable of receiving information identifying the location of said signaling units.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said monitoring station includes a means for transmitting information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to the remote receiver.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the location of the remote receiver is one of a law enforcement agency facility, a law enforcement vehicle, an emergency response vehicle, and an emergency care facility.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein said security and tracking system include radio wave transmitting means for transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to the remote receiver.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein said security and tracking system include internet connecting means for transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to the remote receiver.

48. The method of claim 43, wherein said security and tracking system include telephone connecting means of transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to the remote receiver.

49. The method of claim 43, wherein said security and tracking system include cellular communicating means for transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to the remote receiver.

50. The method of claim 43, wherein said security and tracking system include low earth orbit satellite communicating means for transmitting the information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to the remote receiver.

51. The method of claim 43, wherein the means for identifying the location of the signaling units includes antenna means for communicating with the global positioning satellite (GPS) system.

52. The method of claim 43, wherein the means for identifying the location of the signaling units includes antenna means for communicating with low earth orbit satellites.

53. The method of claim 43, wherein the means for identifying the location of the signaling units includes antenna means for communicating with a cellular network.