Secure field monitoring device for use in electronic house arrest monitoring system
First Claim
1. Monitoring apparatus usable with an electronic house arrest monitoring (EHAM) system for monitoring the presence or absence of a specified individual at an assigned location remote from a central monitoring location, said monitoring apparatus comprising:
- a closed housing;
detection means within said housing for detecting the presence or absence of the specified individual at the assigned location;
control means within said housing for controlling the operation of said monitoring apparatus in accordance with a set of preprogrammed operating parameters;
electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) means within said housing for storing said operating parameters;
random access memory means within said housing for storing data processed by said processing means;
first port means for allowing data access into and out of said RAM means through said control means from a location external to said housing, whereby data may be selectively transferred between said random access memory means and an external device;
second port means coupled to said control means for selectively allowing data to be programmed into said EEPROM means from an external programming device, and for selectively allowing data stored in said EEPROM means to be read by said external programming device, said second port means being concealed on said housing; and
access means for allowing access to said EEPROM means through said second port means only when a plurality of prescribed conditions have been met;
whereby said operating parameters for said control means can be accessed only by personnel having knowledge of the location of said second port means and said plurality of prescribed conditions.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A field monitoring device (FMD) for use in an electronic house arrest monitoring (EHAM) system has an infrared (IR) communications port concealed in the back of its housing. A strain relief fixture for the power cord covers the IR port during normal FMD operation. This strain relief fixture is removable only with a special tool. The IR port includes two small holes. Inside one hole is an infrared receiver. Inside the other hole is an infrared transmitter. Data communications with the FMD is established by optically linking a matching infrared receiver included in a coupling head of an IR adapter with the infrared transmitter within the FMD; and by similarly optically linking a matching infrared transmitter with the infrared receiver within the FMD. The IR adapter interfaces with a conventional data terminal, such as a personal computer, which data terminal functions as an external programmer for the FMD. Only those who have possession of the external programmer, and who have the special tool and knowledge of the location of the infrared communications port, are able to establish a communications link with the FMD. Once the communications link is established, access to the memory and other circuits of the FMD is not provided until certain other prescribed steps are taken, including the proper placement of a key switch incorporated on the FMD housing, and the proper timed insertion of access codes and passwords through the external programmer.
55 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Monitoring apparatus usable with an electronic house arrest monitoring (EHAM) system for monitoring the presence or absence of a specified individual at an assigned location remote from a central monitoring location, said monitoring apparatus comprising:
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a closed housing; detection means within said housing for detecting the presence or absence of the specified individual at the assigned location; control means within said housing for controlling the operation of said monitoring apparatus in accordance with a set of preprogrammed operating parameters; electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) means within said housing for storing said operating parameters; random access memory means within said housing for storing data processed by said processing means; first port means for allowing data access into and out of said RAM means through said control means from a location external to said housing, whereby data may be selectively transferred between said random access memory means and an external device; second port means coupled to said control means for selectively allowing data to be programmed into said EEPROM means from an external programming device, and for selectively allowing data stored in said EEPROM means to be read by said external programming device, said second port means being concealed on said housing; and access means for allowing access to said EEPROM means through said second port means only when a plurality of prescribed conditions have been met; whereby said operating parameters for said control means can be accessed only by personnel having knowledge of the location of said second port means and said plurality of prescribed conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of restricting access to the operating parameters of a field monitoring device (FMD) used with an electronic house arrest monitoring (EHAM) system, said FMD including a microprocessor for controlling the operation of said FMD as controlled by said operating parameters, said FMD further including an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) device wherein said operating parameters are stored, said method comprsiing the steps of:
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(a) concealing a data communications port on a housing of said FMD, said concealed data communications port being visible only upon the removal of a protective plate, said protective plate being removable only through the use of a specially configured tool; (b) removing said protective plate using said specially configured tool; (c) detachably securing to said data communications port a coupling head attached to an external programming device, said coupling head requiring the use of said specially configured tool in order to be secured to said data communications port, said external programming device having keyboard means for manually keying in data into said FMD through said data communications ports, and display means for displaying data stored in said EEPROM device; (d) inhibiting data access through said data communications port until a plurality of prescribed conditions have been established; whereby only personnel having knowledge of the existence and location of said data communications port, and having said specially configured tool and said external programming device, and further having knowledge of said pluraltiy of prescribed conditions, are able to have access to the operating parameters store din said EEPROM device for the purpose of examining or reprogramming said operating parameters. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification