Security and tracking system

• US 8,321,124 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2004
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C2 Global Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: C2 Global Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Curatolo, Benedict S., Cornelius, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CHUONG P
• Application Number:
  US10/984,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20050136912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,941 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/200, 701/207, 701/213, 701/300, 701/400, 701/408, 701/433, 701/434, 3405391-53925, 340/572.1, 340/593.15, 340/568.1, 342/357.54
• US Class Current: 701/300
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0036 of measured values, i.e. measurement on mobile and position calculation on base station
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0213 System disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded disabling electrical appliances in case of unplugging G08B13/1409
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

A security and tracking apparatus includes at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein the apparatus is adapted for transmitting the location of each signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance. A method to locate a person, animal, or object, includes providing in contact with or at least in close proximity to the person, the animal, or the object, at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein each respective signaling unit is adapted for identifying the location of the signaling units and for transmitting the location of the signaling units when the first and second signaling units are separated more than a preselected distance; and activating the signaling units to transmit the location of the signaling units.

Claims

1. A security and tracking apparatus comprising at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, each adapted to be in contact with or in close proximity to an individual person, animal or object, wherein each of the at least first signaling unit and the second signaling unit are adapted to operate in a non-alarm mode within a proximity of a preselected distance to each other respective signaling unit and the apparatus is adapted for identifying the location of each respective signaling unit and for transmitting the location of each respective signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than the preselected distance.

2. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitting of the location of the respective signaling units is automatically activated when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than the preselected distance.

3. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted for receiving an initiating signal for activating the transmission of information identifying the location of the signaling units.

4. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted for communicating with a wireless network.

5. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the signaling units is adapted to be hidden.

6. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted for communicating with at least one of the global positioning satellite (GPS) system or low earth orbit satellites.

7. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted for communicating with at least one of a cellular network, a satellite network, a mesh network, a local network, local sensors, or a wireless network.

8. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the signaling units is in a passive mode when said signaling units are in communicating proximity.

9. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one said signaling unit is small enough to be able to be hidden in a wearable article.

10. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one said signaling unit is incorporated into at least one of an article of clothing, a shoe, a watch, a wristband, a bracelet, an identification card, an article of jewelry, a hair accessory, eyeglasses, and an animal collar.

11. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one said signaling unit is incorporated into at least one of a molded article, an extruded article, and a sewn article.

12. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into at least one of a credit card, a wallet, a checkbook, a purse, a cellular phone, a pager, a motor vehicle, a boat, an aircraft, a television, a radio, a stereo, a tape player, a compact disc player, a DVD player, an MP3 player, a VCR, a camera, a movie camera, a computer, a printer, a laptop or notebook computer, a PDA or PocketPC, a briefcase, a suitcase, a backpack, a bank bag, a weapon, an article of clothing, an article of jewelry, and an article of artwork.

13. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one said signaling unit has a coating comprising a metallic character that comprises an antenna.

14. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one said signaling unit is capable of at least one secondary operation, optionally including at least one of recording, receiving, or transmitting video signals or audio signals, disabling a firearm, or disabling a motor vehicle.

15. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one secondary operation is automatically activated when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance.

16. A security and tracking system comprising

at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, each adapted to be in contact with or in close proximity to an individual person, animal or object, wherein each of the at least first signaling unit and the second signaling unit are adapted to operate in a non-alarm mode within a proximity of a preselected distance to each other respective signaling unit and each respective signaling unit is adapted for identifying the location of said respective signaling unit and for transmitting the location of said respective signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than the preselected distance;

and

a monitoring station capable of receiving information identifying the location of said signaling units.

17. The security and tracking system of claim 16 wherein the monitoring station comprises a computer.

18. The security and tracking system of claim 16, wherein said monitoring station is adapted for transmitting information identifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to a remote receiver.

19. The security and tracking system of claim 18, wherein the monitoring station is adapted for communication selected from the group consisting of at least one of radio, the internet, a telephone network, a cellular network, a wireless network, a mesh network, a local network, local sensors, television, and satellite.

20. The security and tracking system of claim 18, wherein the location of the remote receiver is one of a law enforcement agency facility, a law enforcement vehicle, an emergency response vehicle, and an emergency care facility.

21. The security and tracking system of claim 16 wherein the monitoring station comprises at least one of a cellular phone, a pager, a PDA or PocketPC, a computer, or a combination thereof.

22. The security and tracking system of claim 16, wherein the respective said signaling units are adapted for communicating with the global positioning satellite (GPS) system.

23. The security and tracking system of claim 16, wherein the respective said signaling units are adapted for communicating with at least one of a cellular network, a satellite network, a mesh network, a local network, local sensors, or a wireless network.

24. A security and tracking apparatus for a person, an animal or an object comprising at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, each adapted to be hidden in contact with or in close proximity to the person, the animal or the object, wherein each respective said signaling unit is adapted for identifying the location of said respective signaling unit and for transmitting the location of said respective signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance.

25. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 24 wherein each respective said signaling unit is adapted to transmit the location of said respective signaling unit to a monitoring station under at least one of the following conditions:

a) automatically when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance,

b) upon demand from the monitoring station,

c) upon demand from the person,

d) upon loss or absence of communication from the other signaling unit, or

e) upon preselected intervals;

wherein the monitoring station optionally comprises a cellular phone, a pager, a PDA or PocketPC, a computer, or a combination thereof.

26. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 24, wherein each respective said signaling unit has a low power RF transceiver for communication with the other signaling unit.

27. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one said signaling unit is incorporated into at least one of an article of clothing, a shoe, a watch, a wristband, a bracelet, an identification card, an article of jewelry, a hair accessory, eyeglasses, and an animal collar.

28. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into at least one of a credit card, a wallet, a checkbook, a purse, a cellular phone, a pager, a motor vehicle, a boat, an aircraft, a television, a radio, a stereo, a tape player, a compact disc player, a DVD player, an MP3 player, a VCR, a camera, a movie camera, a computer, a printer, a laptop or notebook computer, a PDA or PocketPC, a briefcase, a suitcase, a backpack, a bank bag, a weapon, an article of clothing, an article of jewelry, or an article of artwork.

29. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into a watch.

30. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into a cellular phone.

31. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into a pager.

32. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one signaling unit additionally comprises a monitoring station adapted to generate a signal to notify the person of the other signaling unit being separated by more than a preselected distance.

33. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one signaling unit additionally is adapted to monitor and report at least one physical condition of the person.

34. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 24, wherein said signaling units are powered by a power source selected from the group consisting of rechargeable battery, replaceable battery, piezoelectric device, fuel cell, microelectromechanical system (MEMS), micro engine, turbine chip, solar cell, kinetic power device, or combinations thereof.

35. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 34, wherein power and data arc transmitted through a common interface.

36. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 24, wherein the location of at least one said signaling unit is transmitted directly to a remote receiver.