Alarm and alarm management system for remote tracking devices

• US 20080018459A1
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Track Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: RemoteMDx Incorporated
• Inventors: Derrick, David, Derrick, Bruce G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,737,841 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/20 Checking timed patrols, e.g. of watchman
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• 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 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A system and method of implementing an alarm hierarchy in a remote tracking device tracked by a monitoring center is described. The remote tracking device is worn by a wearer and includes a location determining mechanism, a wireless communication mechanism and a processor operable to monitor the status of the remote tracking device and to compare the location of the remote tracking device to a set of programmed rules. The system and method include an automated response to an initial indication of an alarm condition invoked by the remote tracking device based on a change to the status of the remote tracking the device or a violation of the programmed rules. The automated response provides an indication of the alarm condition to the wearer. Next, communication can be established with the monitoring center when the alarm condition persists, such that the monitoring center can provide instructions to the wearer based on the alarm condition. If the wearer does not comply with the instructions from the monitoring center, a warning mechanism in the remote tracking device can be activated to warn those in the vicinity of the wearer.

Claims

1. A remote tracking device for use in a remote tracking system having a central monitoring center;

the remote tracking device comprising;

a positioning system receiver operable to receive signals indicative of the location of the remote tracking device;

a cellular transceiver operable to communicate with the central monitoring center;

a processor connected to the positioning system receiver and the cellular transceiver, the processor operable to monitor a status for the remote tracking device, and to compare the location of the remote tracking device with a set of rules programmed into the remote tracking device; and

an audible alarm connected to the processor and capable of being activated by the processor when the processor detects a change in the status for the remote tracking device or a violation of the rules programmed into the remote tracking device, wherein a sound produced by the audible alarm when activated is audible to persons in the vicinity of the remote tracking device.

2. The remote tracking device of claim 1 wherein the audible alarm is a high decibel siren.

3. The remote tracking device of claim 1 wherein the audible alarm is a prerecorded voice message stored on the remote tracking device.

4. The remote tracking device of claim 1 further comprising a vibration alarm connected to the processor and capable of being activated by the process in the same manner as the audible alarm.

5. The remote tracking device of claim 1 wherein the processor can also activate the audible alarm in response to an environmental condition detected by the remote tracking device.

6. The remote tracking device of claim 1 wherein the audible alarm can be activated by a signal sent from the monitoring center to the processor using the cellular transceiver.

7. The remote tracking device of claim 1 further comprising an alarm management system, the alarm management system including an escalating alarm hierarchy which includes the activation of the audible alarm.

8. The remote tracking device of claim 7 wherein the alarm hierarchy also includes playing prerecorded messages audible to a wearer of the remote tracking device and establishing a two-way voice call with the wearer using the cellular transceiver.

9. The remote tracking device of claim 1 wherein the remote tracking device sends the location information and status information for the remote tracking device to the monitoring center.

10. The remote tracking device of claim 1 wherein the rules for the remote tracking device can be programmed from the monitoring center using the cellular transceiver.

11. A method of implementing an alarm hierarchy in a remote tracking device tracked by a monitoring center, the remote tracking device worn by a wearer and including a location determining mechanism, a wireless communication mechanism and a processor operable to monitor the status of the remote tracking device and to compare the location of the remote tracking device to a set of programmed rules;

the method comprising;

invoking an automated response to an initial indication of an alarm condition based on a change to the status of the remote tracking the device or a violation of the programmed rules, the automated response providing an indication of the alarm condition to the wearer;

establishing communication with the monitoring center when the alarm condition persists, the monitoring center providing instructions to the wearer based on the alarm condition; and

activating a warning mechanism in the remote tracking device when the wearer does not comply with the instructions from the monitoring center.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the automated response is playing prerecorded messages stored in the remote tracking device to the wearer.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein establishing communication with the monitoring center includes establishing a two-way voice communication using the wireless communication mechanism.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the warning mechanism is an audible alarm.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the audible alarm is a high decibel siren.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the remote tracking device sends an indication of the alarm condition to the monitoring center upon the initial indication of the alarm condition.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the warning mechanism can be activated remotely by the monitoring center using a signal sent to the processor over the wireless communication mechanism.

18. An alarm management system programmed into a remote tracking device worn by a wearer, the remote tracking device tracked by a monitoring center, and including a location determining mechanism, a wireless communication mechanism and a processor operable to monitor the status of the remote tracking device and to compare the location of the remote tracking device to a set of programmed rules;

the alarm management system comprising;

an automated response to an initial indication of an alarm condition based on a change to the status of the remote tracking the device or a violation of the programmed rules, the automated response providing an indication of the alarm condition to the wearer;

an escalated response which includes communication with the monitoring center when the alarm condition persists, the monitoring center providing instructions to the wearer based on the alarm condition; and

a warning mechanism in the remote tracking device which can be activated when the wearer does not comply with the instructions from the monitoring center.

19. The alarm management system of claim 18 wherein the automated response is playing prerecorded messages stored in the remote tracking device to the wearer.

20. The alarm management system of claim 18 wherein communication with the monitoring center includes establishing a two-way voice communication using the wireless communication mechanism.

21. The alarm management system of claim 18 wherein the warning mechanism is a high decibel siren.

22. The alarm management system of claim 18 wherein the remote tracking device sends an indication of the alarm condition to the monitoring center upon the initial indication of the alarm condition.

23. The alarm management system of claim 18 wherein the warning mechanism can be activated remotely by the monitoring center using a signal sent to the processor over the wireless communication mechanism.

24. The alarm management system of claim 18 wherein the monitoring center generates an alarm condition when there has been no communication with a particular device for a predetermined amount of time.

25. The alarm management system of claim 18 wherein an alarm condition is generated when a particular device has not had a successful location determination for a predetermined amount of time.