System for monitoring and locating people and objects

• US 7,050,906 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2004
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bluespan
• Original Assignee: Bluespan
• Inventors: Chaput, James, Ham, Ronald E., Hathiram, Daraius, Cummings, Bruce, Anderson, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US10/865,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/1, 701/200, 340/5.8, 340/573.4, 340/5.85, 340/573.1, 340/10.1, 340/500, 340/505, 340/506
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0202 Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child

Abstract

A method, computer program product and system for monitoring and locating an object using secure communications without relying on GPS. A monitoring device may activate a monitored unit (unit monitored by monitoring device) by transmitting a seed of an algorithm and a time synchronization to the monitored unit. The seed and time synchronization may be used in conjunction with an algorithm, e.g., frequency hopping table, stored in both the monitoring device and the monitored unit, to allow both the monitoring device and the monitored unit to communicate with one another at a uniquely synchronized time and frequency thereby making it more difficult for a third party to locate the monitored unit. An alert may be generated when the monitored unit is located beyond a predetermined zone. The monitored unit may be located by activating a directional antenna in conjunction with a digital compass on the monitoring device.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a monitored unit attached to an object, wherein said monitored unit comprises;

a memory unit operable for storing a computer program operable for determining if said monitored unit has been tampered with;

a processor coupled to said memory unit;

an emitter coupled to said processor, wherein said emitter is configured to emit infrared signals to a skin of an individual; and

a detector coupled to said processor, wherein said detector is configured to receive reflections of said emitted infrared signals from said skin;

wherein said processor, responsive to said computer program, comprises;

circuitry operable for determining if an intensity of said reflections of said emitted infrared signals is less than a threshold; and

circuitry operable for transmitting an indication that said monitored unit has been tampered with if said intensity of said reflections of said emitted infrared signals is less than said threshold.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said processor further comprises:

circuitry operable for transmitting signals at an increased rate.

3. The system as recited in claim 2 further comprises:

a monitoring device configured to monitor and locate said monitored unit, wherein said monitoring device comprises;

a memory unit operable for storing a computer program operable for monitoring and locating said monitored unit; and

a processor coupled to said memory unit, wherein said processor, responsive to said computer program, comprises;

circuitry operable for receiving said indication that said monitored unit has been tampered with;

circuitry operable for receiving a transmitted signal; and

circuitry operable for measuring a signal strength of said transmitted signal;

circuitry operable for determining a direction of said transmitted signal; and

circuitry operable for creating a polar plot indicating said signal strength and said direction of said transmitted signal.