Electrical lock-out and locating apparatus with GPS technology

• US 8,044,796 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Syd K. Carr Sr
• Original Assignee: Syd K. Carr Sr
• Inventors: Carr, Syd K. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): POINT, RUFUS C
• Application Number:
  US11/701,755
• Time in Patent Office: 1,726 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/502, 340/534, 340/568.3, 340/571, 340/825.22, 340/5.1, 340/825.36, 340/7.21, 340/7.61, 340/538.15, 340/539, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.14, 340/870.16, 340/870.07, 340/505, 340/518, 340/539.32
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses

Abstract

A system and method by which construction tools, electronics, and other electrically powered devices are protected from theft and unauthorized use is disclosed. A tool or electronic device is equipped with an electronic receiver that receives an authorization code from a remote transmitter. Should the item be stolen, the rightful owner can disable it remotely, rendering it worthless. Additionally, the system provides for a Global Positioning System Receiver (GPS) that allows the invention to determine its physical location to within a few feet anywhere on the face of the earth, and transmit its location to the original owner such that it may be recovered. The use of the present invention allows for increased security of portable tools and electronics in a manner that is quick, easy and effective.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a first location of an electrically-operated device from a remote location and also to transmit command functions from said remote location to a control module located on said electrically-operated device, comprising:

a handheld controller for wirelessly communicating command functions via a transmitter bi-directional data stream;

wherein said handheld controller is battery-operated and further comprises;

a housing;

a graphic output screen located in an upper half of said housing;

a controller antenna located on top of said handheld controller to transmit and receive said transmitter bi-directional data stream from said remote location to said transmission relaying system;

a transceiver in electrical communication with said controller antenna;

a set of function keys, comprising;

a menu access button located below said graphic output screen for accessing menu functions;

a numeric keypad located below said graphic output screen to access command functions;

an enter button and a clear button located below said graphic output screen to enter said command functions;

a series of selection keys located below said graphic output screen to access displayed items or options on said graphic output screen;

a microprocessor storing preloaded command functions, activated by said function keys and located within said housing, and converting said command functions to an RF signal; and

,

a command-accepted light emitting diode located below said graphic output screen to confirm to a user that said command functions as entered into said handheld controller were acknowledged by said control module;

a transmission relaying system, for receiving said transmitter bi-directional data stream and generating and transmitting a receiver bi-directional data stream; and

,

a control module removably mounted on said electrically-powered device for receiving said receiver bi-directional data stream, acting on said command functions, and generating physical location data via a GPS tracking system for transmission via said receiver bi-directional data stream, comprising a mountable enclosure, further comprising;

an electrical power cord for supplying power;

a power supply receiving an alternating current (AC) from said electrical power cord ahead of a main power relay in electrical communication with said electrically-operated device, wherein said power supply produces and conducts a regulated output voltage to a GPS receiver;

an indicator light for acknowledging receipt of power to said control module;

a GPS receiver in electrical communication with said power supply; and

,

a controller, comprising a digital controller or an embedded processor and provides an electrical current to said main power relay, thus closing a circuit between said electrical power cord and an electrical power circuit of said electrically-operated device upon receiving a valid command function from said handheld controller via said transmission relaying system;

wherein said GPS receiver is a conventional digital data transceiver that generates a position location signal transmitted to a GPS satellite, receives said first location generated by said satellite, and communicates said first location to said controller; and

,

wherein said controller also communicates said first location information as provided by said GPS receiver to said control receiver for rebroadcast back to said handheld controller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said menu and command functions comprise control, permissive, lockout and location functions.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said transmission relaying system further comprises a transmission relay tower for receiving said transmitter bi-directional data stream wirelessly from said handheld controller, converting said transmitter bi-directional data stream to said receiver bi-directional data stream, amplifying said receiver bi-directional data stream, and transmitting said amplified receiver bi-directional data stream to said control module;

and receiving said receiver bi-directional data stream wirelessly from said control module, converting said receiver bi-directional data stream to said transmitter bi-directional data stream, amplifying said transmitter bi-directional data stream, and transmitting said amplified transmitter bi-directional data stream to said handheld controller.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said GPS tracking system generates said first location by triangulation.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said handheld controller further comprises an alphanumeric keypad.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said control receiver of said control module also transmits said first location of said electrically-operated device to a remote receiver unit.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said remote receiver unit further comprises one or more of the following list:

a security subscriber control room, a second handheld controller, and a law enforcement agency.

8. The system of a claim 7, wherein said system is operable over a plurality of electrically-operated devices at a plurality of locations.

9. A method for operating a system for monitoring a first location of at least one of a plurality of electrically-operated devices from a remote location and also to transmit command functions from said remote location to a control module located on each of said electrically-operated devices, comprising the following steps:

providing said system, further comprising;

a handheld controller for wirelessly communicating command functions via a first transmitter bi-directional data stream, further comprising;

a housing;

a graphic output screen located in an upper half of said housing;

a controller antenna located on top of said handheld controller to transmit and receive said transmitter bi-directional data stream from said second location to a transmission relaying system;

a transceiver in electrical communication with said controller antenna;

a set of function keys, comprising;

a menu access button located below said graphic output screen for accessing menu functions;

a numeric keypad located below said graphic output screen to access command functions;

an enter button and a clear button located below said graphic output screen to enter said command functions;

a series of selection keys located below said graphic output screen to access displayed items or options on said graphic output screen;

a microprocessor storing preloaded command functions, activated by said function keys and located within said housing, and converting said command functions to an RF signal; and

,

a command-accepted light emitting diode located below said graphic output screen to confirm to a user that said command functions as entered into said handheld controller were acknowledged by said control module;

said transmission relaying system, for receiving said transmitter bi-directional data stream and generating and transmitting a receiver bi-directional data stream; and

,

a control module removably mounted on each of said plurality of electrically-operated devices for receiving said receiver bi-directional data stream, acting on said command functions, and generating physical location data via a GPS tracking system for transmission via said receiver bi-directional data stream, said control module comprises a mountable enclosure further comprises;

an electrical power cord for supplying power;

a power supply receiving an alternating current (AC) from said electrical power cord ahead of a main power relay in electrical communication with said electrically-operated device, wherein said power supply produces and conducts a regulated output voltage to a GPS receiver;

an indicator light for acknowledging receipt of power to said control module;

a GPS receiver in electrical communication with said power supply; and

,

a controller, comprising a digital controller or an embedded processor and provides an electrical current to said main power relay, thus closing a circuit between said electrical power cord and an electrical power circuit of said electrically-operated device upon receiving a valid command function from said handheld controller via said transmission relaying system;

wherein said GPS receiver is a conventional digital data transceiver that generates a position location signal transmitted to a GPS satellite, receives said first location generated by said satellite, and communicates said first location to said controller; and

,

wherein said controller also communicates said first location information as provided by said GPS receiver to said control receiver for rebroadcast back to said handheld controller;

installing said control module on each of said plurality of electrically-operated devices;

supplying power to each control module and each of said plurality of electrically-operated devices;

subscribing to a dedicated locator program utilizing said GPS satellite and said transmission relay system;

entering a command function by using said handheld controller, wherein said command function is an initializing function, a disabling function, an enabling function, and a locating function.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said initializing function further comprises the steps of:

depressing said menu access button on said handheld controller;

choosing said initializing function and depressing said enter button;

entering a serial number or a code number for a particular electrically-operated device on said numeric keypad and depressing said enter button; and

,

verifying said command-accepted light-emitting diode flashes;

wherein said previous steps programs and initializes said system.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said disabling function further comprises the steps of:

depressing said menu access button on said handheld controller;

choosing said disabling function and depressing said enter button;

entering a serial number or a code number for said particular electrically-operated device on said numeric keypad and depressing said enter button; and

,

verifying said command-accepted light-emitting diode flashes a first multiple number of times;

wherein said previous steps disables said particular electrically-operated device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

choosing a category of a particular electrically-operated device from said plurality of electrically-operated devices;

wherein said previous step disables said category of a particular electrically-operated device.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said enabling function further comprises the steps of:

depressing said menu access button on said handheld controller;

choosing said enabling function and depressing said enter button;

entering a serial number or a code number for a particular electrically-operated device on said numeric keypad and depressing said enter button; and

,

verifying said command-accepted light-emitting diode flashes a second multiple number of times;

wherein said previous steps enables said particular electrically-operated device to operate.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

choosing a category of a particular electrically-operated device from said plurality of electrically-operated devices;

wherein said previous step enables said category of a particular electrically-operated device to operate.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said locating function further comprises the steps of:

depressing said menu access button on said handheld controller;

choosing said locating function and depressing said enter button;

entering a serial number or a code number for said a particular electrically-operated device on said numeric keypad and depressing said enter button; and

,

verifying said command-accepted light-emitting diode flashes a third multiple number of times;

wherein said previous steps locates said particular electrically-operated device via said GPS tracking system.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

choosing a category of a particular electrically-operated device from said plurality of electrically-operated devices;

wherein said previous step locates said category of a particular electrically-operated device via said GPS tracking system.