Personal security and tracking system

• US 5,742,233 A
• Filed: 01/21/1997
• Issued: 04/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Hoffman Resources LLC
• Inventors: Doe, David G., Hoffman, Ann, Hoffman, Judd A., Hoffman, Mark S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US08/786,411
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/574, 340/531, 340/539, 340/572, 340/571, 340/568, 340/825.49, 340/825.36, 340/825.54, 379/37-59, 342/357, 342/450, 342/457
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• 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 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0294 Display details on parent unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A signaling system comprises a portable signaling unit, a remote alarm switch device, a central dispatch station, and a wireless communication system such as a cellular or telephone system, etc., and a GPS or alike system. The portable signaling unit and the remote alarm switch may be adapted to be worn at different locations on the person'"'"'s body. The remote alarm switch may be concealed in the form of a wristband or in the form of any other object such as a broach, pendant, or keychain. When the person in distress activates the remote alarm switch or when the remote alarm switch is removed from the individual by a forceful or unauthorized action or when the signaling unit is removed from the proximity of the remote alarm switch, the portable signaling unit sends a data transmission which includes its location to the central dispatch station. The portable signaling unit also has manual alarm trigger capabilities so it can be used without the remote alarm switch unit. The central dispatch station receives the data transmission and accurately displays the user identification, stored personal information, nature of the alarm; in addition the location of the portable signaling unit is superimposed on a digitized map at a position corresponding to the location of the person wearing the portable signaling unit. The portable signaling unit can be remotely activated from a central dispatch station to determine and monitor the location of the portable signaling unit.

Claims

1. A personal security and tracking system that provides a reliable personal alarm system for an individual to be monitored, the system comprising:

(a) a portable signaling unit capable of generating one or more priority levels of alarm signal data,

(b) a remote alarm switch unit functionally related to the portable signaling unit such that the remote alarm switch unit transmits a periodic signal to the portable signaling unit and such that, when the remote alarm switch unit is in a non-triggered state, it does not cause alarm signal data to be generated by the portable signaling unit and, when the remote alarm switch unit is in a triggered state, it does cause the alarm signal data to be generated by the portable signaling unit, the triggered state being caused by a triggering condition,

(c) means for the portable signaling unit to identify its geographical location,

(d) a central dispatch station capable of receiving and interpreting the alarm signal data generated by the portable signaling unit and having

(i) a human operator, capable of determining by analyzing the data received from the portable signaling unit to determine the priority level of the alarm signal data and the location of the individual being monitored,

(ii) a computer system capable of interpreting, validating, and storing all the alarm signal data received from the portable signaling unit at the central dispatch station and account data entered into the system,

(iii) means to enable the central dispatch station operator to identify the origination location of the alarm signal data,

(iv) means to make available to the dispatch operator all validated data received at the central dispatch station together with any stored information, and

(v) means for displaying the type of alarm and the location of the individual in a convenient format, part of which will display the individual'"'"'s location on a digitized map, all of which will allow efficient dispatching of appropriate emergency assistance to the exact location of the individual in distress in possession of the signaling unit,

(e) means for data and voice communications between the portable signaling unit and the central dispatch station,

wherein the triggering condition causes the remote alarm switch unit to instruct the portable signaling unit to generate an alarm signal that will be transmitted to the central dispatch station by the data and voice communications means.

2. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the remote alarm switch unit is capable of being triggered manually so that the individual being monitored can summon assistance in an emergency situation.

3. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the remote alarm switch unit is in the non-triggered state, except when generating the periodic signal to the portable signaling unit, it is in a non-transmitting mode.

4. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system may be operated under circumstances selected from the group consisting of pre-defined and user-specified circumstances.

5. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triggering condition is selected from the group consisting of unauthorized removal of the remote alarm switch unit from the individual, separation of the portable signaling unit from the proximity of the remote alarm switch, as determined by failure of the portable signaling unit to receive a periodic signal from the remote alarm switch, and manual operation by the individual.

6. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable signaling unit is small, durable, water-proof, and intelligent.

7. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable signaling unit can be securely attached to the individual without hindering personal activity.

8. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the remote alarm switch unit is small, durable, water-proof, and intelligent.

9. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the remote alarm switch unit can be securely attached to an individual without hindering personal activity.

10. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means to allow the central dispatch operator to selectively establish two-way digital contact with the portable signaling unit.

11. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means to allow the central dispatch operator to selectively establish two-way voice contact with the individual carrying the portable signaling unit.

12. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means to provide the central dispatch operator with the ability to initiate a request for the locating information.

13. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means to enable the central dispatch station to automatically monitor the location of the individual within preset boundaries, which when violated would trigger an alarm to the central dispatch station operator.

14. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable signaling unit allows those circuits that are not required in the actual sensing of an alarm to remain off or in the standby mode in order to conserve battery power.

15. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means to alert the central dispatch station operator of the need for maintenance in the case of a low battery condition in the portable signaling unit.

16. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means to allow the central dispatch station to periodically and remotely interrogate and test the portable signaling unit for malfunction.

17. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means to allow the central dispatch station to periodically and remotely interrogate the portable signaling unit in order to compile historical data.

18. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable signaling unit is not limited in geographical range from the central dispatch station.

19. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the remote alarm switch unit is incorporated into a wearable article.

20. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 19, wherein the wearable article is a wristband.

21. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for identifying the origination location of the alarm signal data is selected from the group consisting of a global positioning satellite (GPS) system receiver, a LORAN-C receiver, and a GLONASS receiver.

22. The personal security and tracking system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for data and voice communications between portable signaling unit and the central dispatch station is selected from the group consisting of a cellular telephone system transmitter and receiver, a digital personal communication system transmitter and receiver, and a communication satellite transmitter and receiver.