Embedded electronic security system

• US 7,061,426 B1
• Filed: 08/27/2004
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Meise, William H., Fey, Charles Frederick III
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, DAO LINDA
• Application Number:
  US10/928,986
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.06, 342/357.08, 342/357.13, 342/419, 342/457, 701/213, 701/215
• US Class Current: 342/357.27
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0072 Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS

Abstract

A user-portable device determines its own geolocation, and compares that location with a region defined by at least one memorized specified location and a distance. A deviation or alarm signal is generated when either within or without the defined region. In one version, the memorized specified location is the geolocation of another, remote user-portable device.

Claims

1. A method for generating a deviation signal when a user-portable device crosses a boundary, said method comprising the steps of:

at said device, determining the geolocation;

at said device, storing signals representing a selected geolocation and a defined distance from said selected geolocation, which determines a boundary;

at said device, processing at least said geolocation, selected geolocation, and defined distance signals to determine whether said device lies one of within and without said boundary; and

at said device, generating a deviation signal indicative if said device is one of within and without said boundary;

further comprising the step of transmitting said deviation signal from said device by way an electromagnetic signal transmitter.

2. A method for generating a deviation signal when a user-portable first device is one of within and without a predefined distance of a user-portable second device, said method comprising the steps of:

at said first device, determining the geolocation of said first device, and generating signals representative thereof;

at said second device, determining the geolocation of said second device, and generating signals representative thereof;

at said second device, transmitting electromagnetic signals including said signals representative of said geolocation of said second device;

at said first device, receiving electromagnetic signals representing said geolocation of said second device, and storing in a memory said signals representing said geolocation of said second device;

at said first device, storing in a memory signals representing a defined distance which, when combined with said geolocation of said second device, determines a boundary about said second device;

at said first device, processing said geolocation of said first device, said geolocation of said second device, and said signals representing a defined distance, to determine whether said first device lies one of within and without said boundary; and

at at least one of said first and second devices, generating a deviation signal indicative of the geolocation of said first device being one of within and without said boundary.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said step of at said first device, storing in a memory signals representing a defined distance, includes the step of receiving, by way of electromagnetic transmissions from a remote location, said signals representing a defined distance.

4. A method according to claim 2, further comprising, between said steps of (a) at said second device, transmitting electromagnetic signals including said signals representative of said geolocation of said second device and (b) at said first device, receiving electromagnetic signals representing said geolocation of said second device, and storing in a memory said signals representing said geolocation of said second device, the additional step of receiving at a third location, remote from both said geolocation of said first device and said geolocation of said second device, said electromagnetic signals from said second device, processing the content of said electromagnetic signals from said second device, and transmitting to said first device said electromagnetic signals representing said geolocation of said second device.

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein said steps of (a) at said first device, determining the geolocation of said first device, and generating signals representative thereof and (b) at said second device, determining the geolocation of said second device, and generating signals representative thereof comprise the step of determining geolocation by means of GPS.

6. A method according to claim 2, wherein said deviation signal is generated when said first device is within said boundary.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said deviation signal is generated at said first device.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said deviation signal is manifested as one of an aural and a tactile signal.

9. A method according to claim 6, wherein said deviation signal is generated at said second device.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said deviation signal is manifested as one of an aural and a tactile signal.