Remote tracking and communication device

• US 7,330,122 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2005
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Track Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: RemoteMDx Incorporated
• Inventors: Derrick, Bruce G., Robidoux, Gerard E., Kalhok, David J., Larson, Stephen N. D., Walker, Scott S., Boutet, Patrick Y. D., McNab, David S., Davidson, B. Kent, Langlois, Jean-Sebastien
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US11/202,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20070063853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/539.11, 340/539.12, 340/539.13, 340/693.1, 340/692, 340/693.2, 340/693.5, 379 37- 39, 379/41, 379/45, 455/404.1, 455/404.2
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0054 of actual mobile position, i.e. position calculation on base station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0258 System arrangements wherein both parent and child units can emit and receive
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0277 Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

A remote tracking and communication device comprising a housing which encloses a processor, a memory, a position locator, a first transmitter, and a second transmitter. Each of the latter components are electronically coupled to the processor. Both the first and second transmitters are adapted to send and receive wireless voice and data signals in a digital format. The device further comprises a first battery, which is removably affixed to the housing and electronically coupled to each component within the housing, a speaker and a microphone electronically coupled to the first transmitter, and a button electronically coupled to the processor. When pressed, the button is adapted to activate voice communications with a call center using the first transmitter.

Claims

1. A remote tracking and communication device comprising:

a housing enclosing;

a processor;

a memory electronically coupled to the processor;

a position locator electronically coupled to the processor;

a first transmitter electronically coupled to the processor, the first transmitter being adapted to send and receive wireless voice and data signals in a digital format; and

a second transmitter electronically coupled to the processor, the second transmitter being adapted to send and receive wireless voice and data signals in a digital format;

a first battery removably affixed to the housing and electronically coupled to the processor, the position locator, the first transmitter, and the second transmitter;

a speaker electronically coupled to the first transmitter;

a microphone electronically coupled to the first transmitter;

a button electronically coupled to the processor, wherein the button is adapted to activate voice communications with a call center using the first transmitter.

2. The device of claim 1, the housing further enclosing:

an optical transmitter electronically coupled to the processor;

an optical receiver electronically coupled to the processor.

3. The device of claim 2 further comprising a strap, the strap including an optical fiber and a conductor extending from one end of the strap to the other end, wherein the housing is adapted to receive both ends of the strap such that one end of the optical fiber is in alignment with the optical transmitter and the other end of the optical fiber is in alignment with the optical receiver.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein when both ends of the strap are affixed to the housing, the processor is adapted to monitor optical continuity through the fiber using the optical transmitter and the optical receiver.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein when both ends of the strap are affixed to the housing, the processor is adapted to monitor electrical continuity through the conductor.

6. The device of claim 1, the housing further enclosing a second battery electronically coupled to the processor, the position locator, the first transmitter, the second transmitter, and the first battery.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first battery is adapted to maintain the charge on the second battery when the first battery is affixed to the housing.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein pre-recorded audio files are stored in the memory, each pre-recorded audio file being associated with a pre-defined alert condition and designated for playback upon occurrence of the associated alert condition.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the pre-recorded audio files is a pre-recorded voice message.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the second transmitter is adapted to communicate with a localized peripheral device.

11. A method of processing data generated by a remote tracking device, the method comprising:

processing location and status data generated by the remote tracking device at the remote tracking device;

initiating an alert at the remote tracking device when the data indicates that the remote tracking device is violating one or more pre-programmed rules;

transmitting the location and status data from the remote tracking device to a call center when the alert requires notification of the call center;

directly providing notification of the alert to an administrator of the remote tracking device; and

providing a report to the administrator which includes the location and status data generated over a predetermined time period during which the alert occured.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the pre-programmed rules are defined by the administrator.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein initiating the alert at the remote tracking device includes activating a siren.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein initiating the alert at the remote tracking device includes playing a pre-recorded audio file.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pre-recorded audio file comprises a pre-recorded voice message.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein initiating the alert at the remote tracking device includes the remote tracking device automatically initiating voice communications with the call center.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein directly providing notification to an administrator of the remote tracking device includes the call center initiating voice communications with the administrator.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein directly providing notification to an administrator of the remote tracking device includes the call center sending an electronic message to the administrator.