Person tracking and communication system

• US 7,696,887 B1
• Filed: 10/25/2006
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arturo Echavarria
• Original Assignee: Arturo Echavarria
• Inventors: Echavarria, Arturo
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Phung
• Application Number:
  US11/586,241
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/539.15, 340/539.21, 340/692, 340/539.23
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0252 System arrangements wherein the child unit emits, i.e. the child unit incorporates the emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0294 Display details on parent unit

Abstract

A tracking system having a monitored unit and tracking unit with components that generate and transmit a recognizable audible, visual and, or tactile signal when the monitored unit travels beyond the distance threshold from the tracking unit to alarm the monitored person that they have traveled outside a designated safe area. The tracking unit further comprises circuitry and, or processor code that generates and transmits a signal that becomes increasingly stronger as the tracking unit gets closer to the monitored unit so as to generally indicate and direct the location of the monitored unit. The instant invention preferably comprises circuit components that facilitate adjustment of the separation distance required between the monitored unit and tracking unit to activate the alarm signal(s).

Claims

1. A person tracking system, said system comprising:

a monitored unit mountable to a person or object having circuitry for wireless communication;

a tracking unit having circuitry for wireless communication with said monitored unit;

said tracking unit circuitry comprising a micro controller and means for monitoring a plurality of said monitored units;

said monitored unit comprising a microcontroller and at least one tampering sensor to detect tampering with said monitored unit;

means in said tracking unit for producing a signal that indicates whether the tracking unit is getting closer to the monitored unit; and

means, in communication with said monitored unit or tracking unit, for triggering an alarm when said monitored unit reaches a predetermined distance from said tracking unit.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

means for adjusting the distance required to trigger said alarm triggering means.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said triggering means comprises:

means for transmitting and receiving an RSSI signal between said tracking unit and said monitoring unit.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said triggering means comprises:

means for transmitting and receiving data packets between said tracking unit and said monitoring unit.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said triggering means comprises:

means for generating a vibration alert.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tracking unit comprises:

a least one light sensor.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tracking unit comprises:

battery monitoring circuit.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitored unit comprises:

battery monitoring circuit.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitored unit comprises:

a motion sensor.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitored unit comprises:

an accelerometer.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitored unit comprises:

a serial identification chip.

12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said monitored unit comprises:

a transceiver and a receiver for transmitting and receiving signals.

13. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tracking unit comprises:

a transceiver and a receiver for transmitting and receiving signals.