Personal monitoring apparatus and method

• US 9,759,570 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2015
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mary Antonette Spano, Raymond Anthony Joao
• Original Assignee: Mary Antonette Spano
• Inventors: Joao, Raymond Anthony, Spano, Mary Antonette
• Primary Examiner(s): File, Erin
• Application Number:
  US14/953,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20160155310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3804 Creation or updating of map data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0202 Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0208 Combination with audio or video communication, e.g. combination with "baby phone" function
• 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 21/0291 Housing and user interface of child unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/014 Alarm signalling to a central station with two-way communication, e.g. with signalling back
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

An apparatus, including a housing, display; keyboard; at least one microphone; at least one speaker; at least two cameras; memory or database which stores travel schedule or itinerary information for an individual global positioning device; communication equipment, controller; and transmitter. If the controller detects a deviation of the apparatus from a travel schedule or itinerary or detects an absence of or leaving of the apparatus from an expected location, the controller generates a message and the transmitter transmits the message to a communication device associated with a third party. The controller activates the communication equipment to initiate a telephone call to the communication device or a second communication device, de-activates an on/off switching functionality of the apparatus, and deactivates a telephone calling on/off switching functionality.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

a display, wherein the display is located on a first side of the housing;

a keyboard, wherein the keyboard is located on the first side of the housing or is a touch screen keyboard accessible via the display;

at least one microphone;

at least one speaker;

at least two cameras, wherein a first camera of the at least two cameras is located on the first side of the housing, and wherein a second camera of the at least two cameras is located on a second side of the housing or on a third side of the housing;

a memory or database, wherein the memory or database stores information regarding a travel schedule or itinerary for a first individual, wherein the information regarding the travel schedule or itinerary includes information regarding at least one destination to which the first individual is expected to travel, information regarding a first time at which the first individual is expected to travel from a first location to the destination, information regarding an expected travel route to the destination, information regarding a second time at which the first individual is expected to arrive at the destination, information regarding a third time at which the first individual is expected to leave the destination to travel back to the first location or to travel to a second destination, information regarding an expected travel route to the first location or to the second destination, and information regarding an expected time of arrival at the first location or the second destination;

a global positioning device, wherein the global positioning device determines a position or a location of the apparatus;

communication equipment, wherein the communication equipment include cellular telephone communication equipment or wireless telephone communication equipment;

a controller, wherein the controller is specially programmed to control an operation of the apparatus, and further wherein the controller is specially programmed to automatically and continuously monitor a location of the apparatus and to compare the location of the apparatus with the travel schedule or itinerary of the first individual; and

a transmitter,

wherein the controller is specially programmed to detect a deviation of the apparatus from the travel schedule or itinerary or to detect an absence of, or a leaving of, the apparatus from an expected location on the travel schedule or itinerary, at a time at which the apparatus is expected to be at the expected location, and wherein, if the controller detects a deviation of the apparatus from the travel schedule or itinerary or detects an absence of, or a leaving of, the apparatus from the expected location on the travel schedule or itinerary at a time at which the apparatus is expected to be at the expected location, the controller generates a travel route deviation message containing information regarding a time and a place of the detection of the deviation or the absence and a current position or location of the apparatus, and further wherein the transmitter transmits the travel route deviation message to a first communication device, wherein the first communication device is associated with a second individual, and further wherein the controller activates the communication equipment to initiate a telephone call to the first communication device or to a second communication device, de-activates an on/off switching functionality of the apparatus to prevent the apparatus from being turned off, and deactivates a telephone calling on/off switching functionality to prevent the telephone call from being terminated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus generates an updated travel route deviation message and transmits the updated travel route deviation message to the first communication device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is wearable or is attachable to clothing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an indicator light located on the housing or provided via the display, wherein the indicator light indicates that the apparatus has deviated from a travel route on the travel schedule or itinerary or that the apparatus is not located at an expected location according to the travel schedule or itinerary.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a pulse rate monitor for monitoring a pulse rate of the first individual, a heart rate monitor for monitoring a heart rate of the first individual, a blood pressure monitor for monitoring a blood pressure of the first individual, a blood alcohol monitor for monitoring a blood alcohol level of the first individual, or a thermometer for monitoring a body temperature of the first individual,

wherein the travel route deviation message also contains information regarding the pulse rate, the heart rate, the blood pressure, the blood alcohol level, or the body temperature, of the first individual.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the travel route deviation message also contains information regarding the temperature of the environment in which the apparatus is located.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication equipment is cellular telephone communication equipment.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is integrated within a watch, a wristwatch, a bracelet, a necklace, or an article of jewelry.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is specially programmed to disable the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus records audio information and video information at the apparatus or in a vicinity of the apparatus, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the audio information or the video information to the first communication device, to the second communication device, to a third communication device, or to a central processing computer.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is specially programmed to detect a disconnected telephone call with the first communication device or with the second communication device or a dropped telephone call with the first communication device or with the second communication device, and further wherein the apparatus is programmed to automatically re-connect the telephone call between the apparatus and the first communication device or between the apparatus and the second communication device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits the travel route deviation message to a central processing computer or to a third communication device, wherein the third communication device is associated with a law enforcement agency.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits the travel route deviation message to a central processing computer or to a third communication device, wherein the third communication device is associated with an emergency services provider.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a homing beacon, wherein the homing beacon emits a distress signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one speaker and the at least one microphone facilitate a hands-free telephone calling mode of operation of the apparatus or a hands-free mode of operation of the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a camera or a video recording device, wherein the camera or the video recording device records a picture or a video clip, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the picture or the video clip to the first communication device, to the second communication device, to a third communication device, or to a central processing computer.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus facilitates a video conference or a video chat via the apparatus and the first communication device.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is specially programmed to determine a speed of travel or movement of the apparatus, and further wherein the apparatus transmits information regarding the speed of travel or movement to the first communication device, to the second communication device, to a third communication device, or to a central processing computer.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is specially programmed to generate a plurality of tracking update messages containing information regarding the location of the first individual and a speed of travel or movement of the first individual, wherein each tracking update message of the plurality of tracking update messages is generated at a pre-determined time interval, and further wherein the apparatus is programmed to transmit each tracking update message of the plurality of tracking update messages to the first communication device.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is specially programmed to process navigation information or to provide navigation information.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is specially programmed to display information regarding the first individual'"'"'s movement on a digital or satellite map via the display.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second display, wherein the second display is a component of the first communication device, the second communication device, or a central processing computer, wherein the second display displays information regarding the first individual'"'"'s movement on a digital or satellite map.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is programmed to play a pre-recorded message, a video clip, or an audio clip, via the display and the at least one speaker, wherein the pre-recorded message contains information regarding the first individual, an instruction or information regarding providing care for the first individual, information regarding a medication or drug required for the first individual, or information regarding a special need or a healthcare need of the first individual.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is specially programmed to automatically detect that the first individual has made it back onto a travel route.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus receives a request for information from the first communication device or from the second communication device, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the travel route deviation message in response to the request for information.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus receives a control signal transmitted from the first communication device or from the second communication device, and further wherein the apparatus or the controller performs a control operation on or at the apparatus in response to the control signal.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus receives a control signal transmitted from a central processing computer, and further wherein the apparatus or the controller performs a control operation on or at the apparatus in response to the control signal.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus transmits the travel route deviation message to the second communication device, a third communication device, or a central processing computer.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is specially programmed to generate a tracking update message containing information regarding the location of the first individual or a speed of travel or movement of the first individual, and further wherein the apparatus is programmed to transmit the tracking update message to the first communication device, to the second communication device, to a third communication device, or to a central processing computer.

30. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a blood sugar level monitor for monitoring a blood sugar level of the first individual,

wherein the travel route deviation message also contains information regarding the blood sugar level of the first individual.