Apparatus for monitoring the environment of a person by telephone

• US 7,260,410 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marty Urquhart
• Original Assignee: Marty Urquhart
• Inventors: Urquhart, Marty
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild; Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, MICHAEL T
• Application Number:
  US10/988,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20060105786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 455/419, 455/550.1, 455/426.2, 455/414.1, 455/456.5, 455/456.1, 375/316, 717/168, 340/573.1, 340/573.4
• US Class Current: 455/456.5
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0208 Combination with audio or video communication, e.g. combination with "baby phone" function
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring the environment of a person from any dialable telephone includes a small transmitter/receiver which is attached to the person whose environment is to be monitored. The transmitter/receiver contains cellular/wireless/mobile electronics and programming and may be dialed similarly to the dialing of any cellular phone. The transmitter/receiver is provided with an automatic answer means which enables connection between the cellular/wireless/mobile network and the transmitter/receiver without intervention from the person whose environment is to be monitored. In a preferred embodiment, a password would be required to enhance privacy. The transmitter/receiver automatically disconnects when the caller ends the call.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring the environment of a person, comprising:

a housing having a pinlike lockable attachment means for attachment to a garment of a person whose environment is to be monitored;

a receiver/transmitter within said housing for receiving a cellular/wireless/mobile telephone signal from a cellular/wireless/mobile network and transmitting a signal to a cellular/wireless/mobile network;

said receiver/transmitter including means for automatically connecting to an incoming call and disconnecting when the incoming call ends;

said receiver/transmitter including a microphone for converting audio sound from its immediate environment into an electric current for transmission on the signal transmitted to said cellular/wireless/mobile network;

said receiver/transmitter being accessible by any telephone on any publicly switched telephone network to connect to said receiver/transmitter and to monitor the audio environment of the person to be monitored; and

said receiver/transmitter being provided with no means to initiate an outgoing call.

2. An apparatus for monitoring the environment of a person in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receiver/transmitter includes means for requiring the entry of a password from the received cellular/wireless/mobile telephone signal from the cellular/wireless/mobile network after said receiver/transmitter is accessed and before enabling said microphone for the transmission of audio signals from the environment.

3. An apparatus for monitoring the environment of a person in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cellular/wireless/mobile network is accessible from any dialable telephone.

4. An apparatus for monitoring the environment of a person in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pinlike lockable attachment means includes a combination lock.

5. An apparatus for monitoring the environment of a person in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pinlike lockable attachment means includes a keylock.

6. An apparatus for monitoring the environment of a person in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pinlike lockable attachment means includes an electronic lock.