Systems and methods for providing secure environments

• US 7,167,094 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Secure Care Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: Secure Care Products, Inc.
• Inventors: McHugh, Michael J., Ciarcia, Daniel J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US10/768,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20040189471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/540, 340/541, 340/542, 340/545.1, 340/545.7, 340/545.9, 340/565
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2454 Checking of authorisation of a person accessing tagged items in an EAS system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring a facility is provided. Generally, the system comprises monitoring tags wherein each monitoring tag emits an identifier signal unique to each monitoring tag, monitoring sensors wherein the monitoring sensors receive signals from the monitoring tags and relay the signals to one or more monitoring stations, and monitoring stations wherein the monitoring stations log and display information associated with the signals received. The monitoring station identifies possible events based on the signals received from the monitoring sensors. The monitoring station alerts staff members of the events via a graphical user interface, pagers, email, and alarms.

Claims

1. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) for a monitoring system comprising:

a map associated with a monitored area;

one or more monitoring sensor icons located on the map in a location associated with a monitoring sensor in the monitored area;

at least one monitoring tag icon located on the map in a location associated with at least one monitoring tag in the monitored area wherein the monitoring tags are mobile with respect to the monitored area, wherein the monitoring tag icons are only visible after an actuating event; and

one or more event icons located on the map in a location associated with a monitored event in the monitored area.

2. The GUI of claim 1, wherein the one or more event icons also display a text description associated with a specific event.

3. The GUI of claim 1, further comprising one or more door monitoring icons located on the map in a location associated with a door monitor in the monitored area.

4. The GUI of claim 3, wherein the one or more door monitoring icons also displays a text description associated with a door event.

5. The GUI of claim 3, wherein the one or more door monitoring icons are displayed after one or more of the following events:

a door is left ajar, an attempt is made to open a locked door, a door is opened, an individual is loitering near a door, or a battery is low for a door sensor.

6. The GUI of claim 1, further comprising one or more overlay regions on the floor plan each surrounding the one or more monitoring sensor icons wherein the one or more overlay regions are associated with areas monitored by the one or more monitoring sensors in the monitored area.

7. The GUI of claim 6, wherein the overlay regions change color in response to a status change.

8. The GUI of claim 1, wherein the one or more monitoring sensor icons change color in response to a maintenance problem.

9. The GUI of claim 1, further comprising an alert bar that displays information about a status change.

10. The GUI of claim 1, further comprising a status log that displays information about prior status changes.

11. The GUI of claim 1, further comprising a tool bar with drop down menus for accessing controls.

12. The GUI of claim 1, further comprising operating buttons for accessing software controls.

13. The GUI of claim 1, wherein the map and event icons always remain visible.

14. The GUI of claim 1, wherein a user can access any task within two mouse clicks.

15. The GUI of claim 1, wherein the map is constructed by a user.

16. The Graphic User Interface of claim 1, wherein the monitoring tag icons identify the person or object to which the associated monitoring tag is attached.

17. The Graphic User Interface of claim 1, wherein the monitoring tag is attached to a person or portable object, the movement of which is restricted and wherein an event icon appears when the monitoring tag passes into a restricted area.

18. The Graphic User Interface of claim 1, wherein only monitoring tags related to the actuating event are displayed as monitoring tag icons when the actuating event occurs.