Personal tracking and recovery system

• US 5,629,678 A
• Filed: 01/10/1995
• Issued: 05/13/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Suffolk University, Applied Digital Solutions, Inc. (VeriTeQ Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Paul A. Gargano
• Inventors: Gargano, Paul A., Gilmore, David H., Pace, Frank A., Weinstein, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/371,089
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/574, 340/572, 340/539, 340/825.49, 455/100, 379/37-38, 342/450, 342/357, 342/44, 342/42, 342/51, 128/774, 128/903, 128/653.1, 128/696
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/06 Children, e.g. for attention deficit diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• 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 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

Apparatus for tracking and recovering humans utilizes an implantable transceiver incorporating a power supply and actuation system allowing the unit to remain implanted and functional for years without maintenance. The implanted transmitter may be remotely actuated, or actuated by the implantee. Power for the remote-activated receiver is generated electromechanically through the movement of body muscle. The device is small enough to be implanted in a child, facilitating use as a safeguard against kidnapping, and has a transmission range which also makes it suitable for wilderness sporting activities. A novel biological monitoring feature allows the device to be used to facilitate prompt medical dispatch in the event of heart attack or similar medical emergency. A novel sensation-feedback feature allows the implantee to control and actuate the device with certainty.

Claims

1. A transceiver device implantable in a human body comprising:

a triggerable radio frequency transmitter,

a power source for powering said transmitter,

triggering means for activating said transmitter,

receiver means allowing the detection of an externally generated information signal,

an antenna for effectively radiating RF energy from said transmitter to produce an identifiable RF signal for a period of time following activation by said trigger means,

said receiver means comprising an electromechanical device having a binary output, a digital decoder for detecting predetermined time-encoded information in the binary output of said electromechanical device and for providing an electrical trigger signal representative of the presence of such pre-determined information, and

said trigger signal causing the activation of said transmitter.

2. The transceiver of claim 1, wherein said receiver means additionally comprises a wave receiver for receiving a transmitted wave, and

said digital decoder is responsive to information in an incoming transmitted wave for providing an electrical trigger signal representative of the presence of the information.

3. The transceiver of claim 2, further comprising sensory stimulus means for providing a noticeable stimulus to alert the person in whom the device is implanted that all or part of said incoming transmitted wave has been detected by said digital decoder.

4. The transceiver of claim 2, further comprising a charging regulator for maintaining the power source used to power the transmitter at a state of peak charge.

5. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein said receiver means additionally comprises a sustainable power supply comprising means for picking up periodically available external energy without external electrical contact, storing said energy for use over time, such that the resultant stored energy is sufficient to power the receiver means with enough regularity to ensure proper detection of information on said incoming signal.

6. The transceiver of claim 5 wherein said external energy pickup comprises an inductive pickup, for converting magnetic energy to electrical energy.

7. The transceiver of claim 6, wherein said inductive pickup is placed close to the surface of the body of the individual in which it is implanted.

8. The transceiver of claim 5 wherein said external energy pickup comprises an electromechanical means for converting mechanical work of the body into electrical energy.

9. The transceiver of claim 8, wherein said mechanical work is supplied by muscle tissue in the body of the human in which the device is implanted.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said electromechanical device includes threshold-detection circuitry.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said signal decoder allows input from more than one source of binary information.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising means for providing a perceivable stimulus in response to one output from said digital decoder.

13. The transceiver of claim 12, wherein said receiver means comprises analog circuitry for amplifying the electrical field associated with the contraction of the human heart, and said digital decoder comprises means for detecting the lack of a regular heartbeat.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said signal decoder provides a plurality of outputs in response to a plurality of different pre-determined information patterns.

15. The transceiver of claim 1, further comprising sensory stimulus means for providing a noticeable stimulus to alert the human in whom the device is implanted that all or part of said externally generated information signal has been detected by said digital decoder.

16. The transceiver of claim 1, further comprising sensory stimulus means for providing a noticeable stimulus to alert the human in whom the device is implanted that the all or part of said predetermined information signal has been detected by said detector means.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein said digital decoder allows input from more than one source of binary information.

18. A system for tracking and recovering humans in distress, comprising;

a plurality of triggerable transceivers implanted each in a human being,

each transceiver having a transmitter and a receiver, any one of said transmitters of said transceivers uniquely triggerable to transmit a radio frequency beacon signal after the receiver of said transceiver receives a predetermined radio frequency information signal,

a network of trigger transmitters and receivers, each being sensitive to said radio frequency beacon signal and capable of deriving positional information concerning the source of said beacon signal, and

said trigger transmitters being capable of transmitting a plurality of uniquely identifiable radio frequency information signals, capable of uniquely triggering one of the plurality of implanted radio transceivers.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of mobile receivers sensitive to said radio frequency beacon signals for providing finer positional accuracy in determining the location of the source of said radio frequency beacon signals.