Personal safety system for evidence collection and retrieval to provide critical information for rescue

• US 7,400,245 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2004
• Issued: 07/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joyce Claire Johnson
• Original Assignee: Joyce Claire Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Joyce Claire
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope; Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US10/858,527
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/825.36, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0297 Robbery alarms, e.g. hold-up alarms, bag snatching alarms

Abstract

A personal safety system (8) carried for emergency or abduction preparedness where information might need to be captured and left behind as evidence for the safe return of the user. The user may capture voice or video information and then throw it down and leave it behind at the crime scene for later location discovery and evidence recovery. By removal of pull-pin (12) PSS (8) is activated and recording is available through microphone (18) into voice recording solid-state chip with playback (14). An RF transmitter and antenna (9) is also activated for position discovery by the rescue team once notification is made that user has gone missing. A portable hand-held RF receiver (20) with directional antenna apparatus (44) and a received signal strength indicator (46) is used to help locate the personal safety system (8) and the crime scene. The power source (29) operates the unit and safely maintains the recorded evidence. The components are embedded in a housing (23) that is made rugged material for survivability outdoors in the elements. Once located, the captured forensic information is retrieved via a headphone (19) via the interconnect jack (11).

Claims

1. A system for capturing information, signaling position, and retrieval of said information comprising:

(a) a data collection unit, the data collection unit comprising;

(i) a first means for capturing information;

(ii) a second means for telemetry signaling for position discovery;

(iii) a third means for activating and controlling a power source;

(iv) a housing surrounding and encasing said first means, said second means, and said third means; and

(v) a fourth means for retrieving said information from said data collection unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said third means provides power interruption in such a way that activation of said third means allows power to flow to any or all electrical components of said data collection unit comprising but not limited to said first means and said second means and making each operable automatically.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said third means is a pull-pin that when removed allows power to flow and activate components.

4. The system of claim 3, further including a pull-ring attached to said pull-pin for ease of said pull-pin removal.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said pull-ring is used to attach said data collection unit in a multitude of places including but not limited to clothing, or a purse, or shoes, or a backpack, or pajamas, or a bedside table, or a vehicle dashboard.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein mechanical removal of said third means initiates an electrical cascade automating the operation of said data collection unit.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said electrical cascade is not interrupted by mechanical re-insertion of said third means.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein said system will perform said electrical cascade only as a single one-time event.

9. The system of claim 6, further including a latching mechanism means for assuring the automated electrical cascade as a single one-time event.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said latching mechanism means is comprised of a solid-state latch.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said information is ambient audio.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said first means for capturing information of said ambient audio is comprised of a microphone, a capture means, and an archive means.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said first means for capturing information of said ambient audio is comprised of a monolithic solid-state device.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said archive means for archive of said ambient audio is a solid-state memory.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said solid-state memory is a non-volatile memory.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said non-volatile memory is comprised of flash memory technology.

17. The system of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein said first means for capturing information of said ambient audio and said archive means are both integrated into a single monolithic device.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said information is ambient video.

19. The system of claim 18, further including a camera with video capability, a lens, a video compression means, and an archive means for capturing said ambient video.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said camera with video capability for capturing said ambient video is a monolithic solid-state device.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said archive means of said ambient video is solid-state memory.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein said camera with video capability and said video compression means are integrated onto a single monolithic solid-state device.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein said camera with video capability is integrated with said lens into a single integrated module.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein said ambient video is compressed before archival in a non-volatile memory storage.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said non-volatile memory storage is comprised of flash memory technology.

26. The system of claim 19, further including non-volatile memory for storage of said ambient video.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein said camera with video capability, said video compression means, and said archive means are integrated onto a single monolithic solid-state device.

28. The system of claim 1, further including an elapsed timer for determining an elapsed amount of time since system activation by said third means to provide a time stamp.

29. The system of claim 28, further including a means for digital registration of said elapsed amount of time.

30. The system of claim 28, further including a means for archive of said elapsed amount of time after the primary power source has been exhausted.

31. The system of claim 28, further including a means of power for preserving counter logic state after exhaustion of the primary power source.

32. The system of claim 28, further including an integrated liquid crystal display of said elapsed amount of time since power activation.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein said means of power for preserving counter logic state includes the use of an electrical capacitive storage device.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein said second means is comprised of a radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein said second means of said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna operate at a frequency from a group including but not limited to ultrahigh frequency, 27 megahertz, 400 megahertz, 900 megahertz, 2.4 gigahertz, 4.9 gigahertz, and 5.2-5.8 gigahertz frequency bands.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein said second means of said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna are comprised of passive or active technology.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein said second means of said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna utilizes frequency shift keying modulation techniques.

38. The system of claim 34, further including a radio frequency beacon utilizing a signal generation means for modulating the frequency shift keying signal.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein said signal generation means produces a signal within audible frequency range of readily available commercial radio receivers.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein said signal generation means varies an audio frequency of said radio frequency beacon based on the ambient temperature of said data collection unit described.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein said signal generation means driving the frequency shift keying input of said radio frequency transmitter is modulated with a period of variable length.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein said period of variable length is determined by a means of signal generation.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein said period of variable length gates said means of signal generation based on available battery life.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the modulation of said period of variable length is representative of the amount of local storage power remaining.

45. The system of claim 40, wherein the means for determining said ambient temperature involves manipulation of said audio frequency.

46. The system of claim 40, wherein said signal generation means for varying said audio frequency of said radio frequency beacon is comprised of a temperature-sensitive electronic element.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein said temperature-sensitive electronic element is comprised of a low-tolerance resistive device.

48. The system of claim 34, wherein said second means of said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna is comprised of a monolithic solid-state device.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein said monolithic solid-state device consists of one printed circuit board.

50. The system of claim 1, wherein said housing is of a multitude of shapes including but not limited to, the shape of a rectangle, or star, or hourglass, or disguised as a package of gum or a lipstick.

51. The system of claim 1 wherein said housing is suitable material for best range of said second means including a multitude of materials comprising but not limited to metal, plastic, fiberglass, laminate, or rubber materials.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein said materials comprise an outer coating which is conducive to the retention of latent fingerprints.

53. The system of claim 1, wherein said housing is rugged and environmentally sound such that said data collection unit may be thrown down.

54. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

(b) a locating system, the locating system comprising;

(vi) a fifth means for locating said telemetry signaling of said data collection unit, whereby said information may be extracted upon locating said data collection unit,

wherein said fifth means used for positional location of said telemetry signaling is comprised of a radio frequency receiver and an antenna device.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein said fifth means of said radio frequency receiver and antenna device is comprised of an audio generation means, based on active recovery of said second means.

56. The system of claim 54, further including a received signal strength indicator representing signal strength of said second means.

57. The system of claim 54, wherein said antenna device is comprised of a directional antenna apparatus.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein said directional antenna apparatus is comprised of a means for active control of a plurality of antenna elements.

59. The system of claim 1, further including a location discrimination receiver from a group including but not limited to a GPS receiver or an E911 receiver, and a transmitter.

60. The system of claim 59, further including a personal safety system monitoring system including but not limited to a transmission receiving station, a geographical information system database and a computer.

61. The system of claim 1, wherein said fourth means includes an active electrical retrieval means, and a plurality of passive means.

62. The system of claim 61, further including an electrical interconnect means for retrieval of said information.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein said electrical interconnect means includes an interconnect jack facilitating retrieval of captured data comprising but not limited to audio or video utilizing a plurality of devices not limited to a headphone, headsets, portable speakers, video monitors, and an interconnection to a common personal computer.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein said interconnect jack acts as the device activation means allowing power to flow to any or all electrical components of said system.

65. The system of claim 61, wherein said plurality of passive means includes electrical induction.

66. The system of claim 61, wherein said plurality of passive means includes magnetic induction.

67. The system of claim 61, wherein said plurality of passive means includes radio frequency propagation.

68. The system of claims 65, 66, or 67, wherein said plurality of passive means are passive and do not require mechanical or electrical interaction with said housing.

69. The system of claim 61, wherein said plurality of passive means includes magnetic induction interacting with a reed switch or a hall-effect device with said housing of said data collection unit.

70. The system of claim 1, wherein said fourth means comprises a reed switch or a manual switch.

71. The system of claim 1, further including audio extraction through passive means, these means including but not limited to internal generation of audio, electromagnetic means, or radio frequency transmission means.

72. A system for capturing information, signaling position, and retrieval of the captured information comprising:

(a) a data collection unit, the data collection unit comprising;

(i) a voice recorder with playback capability;

(ii) a radio frequency transmitter;

(iii) a pull-pin for activating and controlling a power source; and

(iv) a housing surrounding and encasing said voice recorder with playback capability, said radio frequency transmitter, and said pull-pin; and

(v) an electrical interconnect for retrieving said information from said data collection unit; and

(b) a locating system, the locating system comprising;

(vi) a radio frequency receiver and antenna apparatus for locating said radio frequency transmitter of said data collection unit,

whereby the captured information may be extracted upon locating said data collection unit.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein said pull-pin provides power interruption in such a way that removal of which allows power to flow to any or all electrical components of said data collection unit.

74. The system of claim 73, further including a pull-ring attached to said pull-pin for ease of said pull-pin removal.

75. The system of claim 72, wherein mechanical removal of said pull-pin initiates an electrical cascade automating the operation of said data collection unit.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein said electrical cascade is not interrupted by mechanical re-insertion of said pull-pin.

77. The system of claim 75, wherein said system will perform said automated electrical cascade only as a single one-time event.

78. The system of claim 75, further including a solid-state latching mechanism for assuring the automated electrical cascade as a single one-time event.

79. The system of claim 72, wherein said information is ambient audio.

80. The system of claim 72, wherein said voice recorder with playback capability is a monolithic solid-state device.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein said monolithic solid-state device is comprised of a non-volatile memory.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein said non-volatile memory is comprised of flash memory technology.

83. The system of claim 72, wherein said information is ambient video.

84. The system of claim 83, further including a camera with video capability, a lens, and a non-volatile solid-state memory for storage of said ambient video.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein said camera with video capability for capturing said ambient video is a monolithic solid-state device.

86. The system of claim 84, wherein said camera with video capability is integrated with said lens into a single integrated module.

87. The system of claim 84, wherein said ambient video is compressed before archival in said non-volatile solid-state memory.

88. The system of claim 87, wherein said non-volatile solid-state memory is comprised of flash memory technology.

89. The system of claim 72, further including an elapsed timer for determining an elapsed amount of time since system activation.

90. The system of claim 89, further including an electrical capacitive storage device for preserving counter logic state of said elapsed timer after exhaustion of the primary power source.

91. The system of claim 89, further including an integrated liquid crystal display for viewing said amount of elapsed time since system activation.

92. The system of claim 72, wherein said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna operate at a frequency from a group including but not limited to ultrahigh frequency, 27 megahertz, 400 megahertz, 900 megahertz, 2.4 gigahertz, 4.9 gigahertz, and 5.2-5.8 gigahertz frequency bands.

93. The system of claim 72, wherein said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna are comprised of passive or active technology.

94. The system of claim 72, wherein said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna utilizes frequency shift keying modulation techniques.

95. The system of claim 72, further including a radio frequency beacon with a signal generator modulating the frequency shift keying signal.

96. The system of claim 95, wherein said radio frequency beacon produces a signal within audible frequency range of readily available commercial radio receivers.

97. The system of claim 96, further including a signal generator that varies an audio frequency of said radio frequency beacon based on an ambient temperature of said data collection unit described.

98. The system of claim 95, wherein said signal generator driving the frequency shift keying input of said radio frequency transmitter is modulated with a period of variable length.

99. The system of claim 98, wherein said period of variable length is determined by a means of signal generation.

100. The system of claim 98, wherein said period of variable length gates said radio frequency transmitter based on available battery life.

101. The system of claim 98, wherein the modulation of said period of variable length is representative of the amount of local storage power remaining.

102. The system of claim 97, wherein said ambient temperature involves manipulation of said audio frequency.

103. The system of claim 97, wherein said signal generator for varying said audio frequency of said radio frequency beacon is comprised of a temperature-sensitive electronic element.

104. The system of claim 103, wherein said temperature-sensitive electronic element is comprised of a low-tolerance resistive device.

105. The system of claim 72, wherein said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna is comprised of a monolithic solid-state device.

106. The system of claim 105, wherein said monolithic solid-state device comprises one printed circuit board.

107. The system of claim 72, wherein said housing is of a multitude of shapes including but not limited to, the shape of a rectangle, or star, or hourglass, or disguised as a package of gum or a lipstick.

108. The system of claim 72, wherein said housing is suitable material for best range of said radio frequency transmitter including a multitude of materials comprising but not limited to metal, plastic, fiberglass, laminate, or rubber materials.

109. The system of claim 108, wherein said materials comprise an outer coating which is conducive to the retention of latent fingerprints.

110. The system of claim 72, wherein said housing is rugged and environmentally sound such that said data collection unit may be thrown down.

111. The system of claim 72, wherein said radio frequency receiver and antenna apparatus includes an audible beeping tone, based on active recovery of said radio frequency transmitter.

112. The system of claim 72, wherein said radio frequency receiver and antenna apparatus includes a received signal strength indicator.

113. The system of claim 72, wherein said radio frequency receiver and antenna apparatus is comprised of a directional antenna apparatus.

114. The system of claim 113, wherein said directional antenna apparatus has active control of a plurality of antenna elements.

115. The system of claim 72, further including a location discrimination receiver from a group including but not limited to a GPS receiver or an E911 receiver, and a transmitter.

116. The system of claim 115, further including a personal safety system monitoring system including but not limited to a transmission receiving station, a geographical information system database and a computer.

117. The system of claim 72, wherein said electrical interconnect is an active interconnect jack, or a plurality of passive retrieval methods to retrieve said information.

118. The system of claim 117, wherein said active interconnect jack facilitates retrieval of captured data comprising but not limited to audio or video utilizing a plurality of devices not limited to a headphone, headsets, portable speakers, video monitors, or an interconnection to a common personal computer.

119. The system of claim 117, wherein said plurality of passive retrieval methods include electrical induction, magnetic induction, or radio frequency propagation.

120. The system of claim 119, wherein said plurality of passive retrieval methods are passive and do not require mechanical or electrical interaction with said housing.

121. The system of claim 119, wherein said magnetic induction includes magnetic induction interacting with a reed switch or hall-effect device with said housing of said data collection unit.

122. The system of claim 72, further including a reed switch or hall-effect device for magnetic induction interacting with said housing of said data collection unit for retrieval of said information.

123. The system of claim 72, wherein said electrical interconnect comprises a manual switch for retrieval of said information.

124. The system of claim 123, further including a headphone or speaker for hearing said information.

125. A method for capturing information, signaling position, and retrieving the captured information, comprising:

(a) providing a data collection unit, the data collection unit comprising

(i) providing a voice recorder with playback capability;

(ii) providing a radio frequency transmitter;

(iii) providing a pull-pin for activating and controlling a power source; and

(iv) providing a housing surrounding and encasing said voice recorder with playback capability, said radio frequency transmitter, and said pull-pin; and

(v) providing an electrical interconnect for retrieving said information from said data collection unit; and

(b) providing a locating system, the locating system comprising;

(vi) providing a radio frequency receiver and antenna device for locating said radio frequency transmitter of said data collection unit,

whereby the captured information may be extracted upon locating said data collection unit.

126. The method of claim 125, wherein said pull-pin provides power interruption in such a way that removal of which allows power to flow to any or all electrical components of said data collection unit.

127. The method of claim 126, further including a pull-ring attached to said pull-pin for ease of said pull-pin removal.

128. The method of claim 125, wherein the removal of said pull-pin initiates an electrical cascade automating the operation of said data collection unit.

129. The method of claim 125, wherein said voice recorder with playback capability is a monolithic solid-state device.

130. The method of claim 129, wherein said monolithic solid-state device is comprised of a memory that is non-volatile.

131. The method of claim 130, wherein said memory that is non-volatile is comprised of flash memory technology.

132. The method of claim 125, wherein said information being captured is ambient video.

133. The method of claim 132, further including a camera with video capability, a lens, and non-volatile solid-state memory for storage.

134. The method of claim 133, wherein said camera with video capability for capturing said ambient video is a monolithic solid-state device.

135. The method of claim 133, wherein said camera with video capability is integrated with said lens into a single integrated module.

136. The method of claim 133, wherein said ambient video is compressed before archival in said non-volatile solid-state memory.

137. The method of claim 133, wherein said non-volatile solid-state memory is comprised of flash memory technology.

138. The method of claim 125, further including an elapsed timer for determining an elapsed amount of time since system activation.

139. The method of claim 138, further including an electrical capacitive storage device for preserving counter logic state of said elapsed timer after exhaustion of the primary power source.

140. The method of claim 138, further including an integrated liquid crystal display for viewing said elapsed amount of time since system activation.

141. The method of claim 125, wherein said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna operate at a frequency from a group including but not limited to ultrahigh frequency, 27 megahertz, 400 megahertz, 900 megahertz, 2.4 gigahertz, 4.9 gigahertz, and 5.2-5.8 gigahertz frequency bands.

142. The method of claim 125, wherein said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna are comprised of passive or active technology.

143. The method of claim 125, wherein said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna utilizes frequency shift keying modulation techniques.

144. The method of claim 125, further including a radio frequency beacon with a signal generator modulating the frequency shift keying signal.

145. The method of claim 144, wherein said radio frequency beacon produces a signal within audible frequency range of readily available commercial radio receivers.

146. The method of claim 145, further including a signal generator that varies an audio frequency tone of said radio frequency beacon based on the ambient temperature of the data collection unit described.

147. The method of claim 144, wherein said signal generator driving the frequency shift keying input of said radio frequency transmitter is modulated with a period of variable length.

148. The method of claim 147, wherein said period of variable length is determined by a means of signal generation.

149. The method of claim 147, wherein said period of variable length gates said radio frequency transmitter based on available battery life.

150. The method of claim 147, wherein the modulation of said period of variable length is representative of the amount of local storage power remaining.

151. The method of claim 146, wherein said ambient temperature involves manipulation of said audio frequency tone.

152. The method of claim 146, wherein said signal generator for varying said audio frequency tone of said radio frequency beacon is comprised of a temperature-sensitive electronic element.

153. The method of claim 152, wherein said temperature-sensitive electronic element is comprised of a low-tolerance resistive device.

154. The method of claim 125, wherein said radio frequency transmitter and its integrated antenna is comprised of a monolithic solid-state device.

155. The method of claim 154, wherein said monolithic solid-state device comprises one printed circuit board.

156. The method of claim 125, wherein said housing is of a multitude of shapes including but not limited to, the shape of a rectangle, or star, or hourglass, or disguised as a package of gun or a lipstick.

157. The method of claim 125, wherein said housing is suitable material for best range of said radio frequency transmitter including a multitude of materials comprising but not limited to metal, plastic, fiberglass, laminate, or rubber materials.

158. The method of claim 157, wherein said materials comprise an outer coating which is conducive to the retention of latent fingerprints.

159. The method of claim 125, wherein said housing is rugged and environmentally sound such that said data collection unit may be thrown down.

160. The method of claim 125, wherein said radio frequency receiver and antenna apparatus includes an audible beeping tone, based on active recovery of said radio frequency transmitter.

161. The method of claim 125, wherein said radio frequency receiver and antenna apparatus includes a received signal strength indicator.

162. The method of claim 125, wherein said radio frequency receiver and antenna device is comprised of a directional antenna apparatus.

163. The method of claim 162, wherein said directional antenna apparatus has active control of a plurality of antenna elements.

164. The method of claim 125, further including a location discrimination receiver from a group including but not limited to a OPS receiver or an E911 receiver, and a transmitter.

165. The method of claim 164, further including a personal safety system monitoring method including but not limited to a transmission receiving station, a geographical information system database and a computer.

166. The method of claim 125, wherein said electrical interconnect is an active interconnect jack, or a plurality of passive retrieval methods to retrieve said information.

167. The method of claim 166, wherein said active interconnect jack facilitates retrieval of captured data comprising but not limited to audio or video utilizing a plurality of devices not limited to a headphone, headsets, portable speakers, video monitors, or an interconnection to a common personal computer.

168. The method of claim 166, wherein said plurality of passive retrieval methods include electrical induction, magnetic induction, or radio frequency propagation.

169. The method of claim 168, wherein said plurality of passive retrieval methods are passive and do not require mechanical or electrical interaction with said housing.

170. The method of claim 168, wherein said magnetic induction includes a magnetic induction interacting with a reed switch or hall-effect device with said housing of said data collection unit.

171. The method of claim 125, further including a reed switch or hall-effect device for said magnetic induction interacting with said housing of said data collection unit for retrieval of said information.

172. The method of claim 125, wherein said electrical interconnect comprising a manual switch for retrieval of said information.

173. The method of claim 172, further including a headphone or speaker for hearing said information.