Monitoring system

• US 7,378,961 B1
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AccuTrak Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AccuTrak Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Camhi, Eli
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland; Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US11/317,606
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.17, 340/539.11, 340/539.12, 340/539.13
• US Class Current: 340/539.17
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/29 the pass containing active electronic elements, e.g. smartcards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A monitoring systems includes at least one fixed location monitoring station, a remote central station and a communications link interconnecting the monitoring station with the remote central station. The monitoring station includes a processor coupled to an input device for retrieving subject identification definition data and subject location definition data. The processor also retrieves physiological parameter sampling data from the subject and determines whether the physiological parameter sampling data lies within boundary limits of the identification definition data and also determines whether the location of the monitoring station lies within boundary limits of the location definition data. In the event the sampling data and the fixed location are within boundary limits, the processor may actuate an access control to permit the subject to enter or exit a controlled premises. Transaction logs including out of boundary conditions as well as in boundary conditions and the location of the monitoring station are transmitted to a remote central station.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for monitoring a subject, the system comprising at least one monitoring station, a remote central station and a communications link interconnecting the monitoring station with the remote central station, the monitoring station including a processor, a memory associated with the processor, monitoring station location data residing in the memory, the processor being coupled to a first input device, the processor retrieving monitored subject physiological parameter identification definition data and monitored subject location definition data in response to a signal from the first input device, the processor being coupled to a second input device for retrieving monitored subject physiological parameter sampling data, the processor determining whether the physiological parameter sampling data lies within boundary limits of the physiological parameter identification definition data and recording an out of boundary condition, the processor determining whether the stored monitoring station location data lies within boundary limits of the subject location definition data and recording an out of boundary condition, the processor transmitting an event log of recorded out of boundary conditions to the remote central monitoring station through the communications link.

2. A monitoring system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the processor stores the retrieved monitored subject physiological parameter identification definition data and the monitored subject location definition data in the memory.

3. A monitoring system as constructed in accordance with claim 2 wherein retrieved monitored subject physiological parameter identification definition data and retrieved monitored subject location definition data are stored in the memory by writing over previously stored physiological parameter identification definition data and monitored subject location definition data.

4. A monitoring system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 further including an access control operatively connected to the processor, the processor actuating the access control when the monitored subject physiological parameter sampling data is within the boundary limits of the monitored subject physiological parameter identification definition data and the monitoring station location data is within the boundary limits of the monitored subject location definition data.

5. A monitoring system as constructed in accordance with claim 4 wherein the access control is coupled to an entrance or exit portal.

6. A monitoring system as constructed in accordance with claim 4 wherein the access control is coupled to equipment, whereby only an authorized monitored subject may utilize such equipment.

7. A monitoring system as constructed in accordance with claim 5 further including a plurality of monitoring stations, each monitoring station being coupled to the remote central station by a communications link.

8. An access controlled premises including a main entrance, a common interior area accessible through the main entrance and a plurality of interior areas, each accessible from the common interior area through an entrance, each entrance having a monitoring station as constructed in accordance with claim 7, the access control of each monitoring station being operably interconnected to its associated entrance.

9. A monitoring system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the monitored subject physiological parameter definition data and the monitored subject location definition data are stored in a portable memory device carried by the monitored subject, the portable memory device being selectively connected to the first input device.

10. A monitoring system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the processor retrieves the monitored subject physiological parameter identification definition data and the monitored subject location definition data through the first input device.

11. A monitoring system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the processor retrieves the subject physiological parameter identification definition data and the monitored subject location definition data through the communications link.

12. A method of monitoring at least one subject from a fixed location, the method comprising the steps of:

a) storing in a memory data representative of the fixed location,

b) receiving monitored subject physiological parameter identification definition data,

c) receiving monitored subject location definition data,

d) obtaining physiological parameter sampling data from the monitored subject,

e) comparing the physiological parameter sampling data with the physiological parameter identification definition data,

f) generating a transaction event log if the physiological parameter sampling data does not lie within boundary limits of the physiological parameter definition data,

g) comparing the data representative of the fixed location with the subject location definition data,

h) generating a transaction event log if the data representative of the fixed location does not lie within boundary limits of the subject location definition data, and

i) generating a transaction event log if the data representative of the fixed location is within the boundary limits of the location definition data.

13. A method of monitoring at least one subject in accordance with claim 12, wherein step i) includes actuating an access control prior to generating the transaction event log.

14. A method of monitoring at least one subject in accordance with claim 12 further including the steps of storing the subject physiological parameter identification data in the memory, and storing the subject location definition data in the memory prior to performing step e).

15. A method of monitoring at least one subject in accordance with claim 14 wherein the steps of storing are performed by writing over previously stored subject physiological parameter identification data and subject location definition data.

16. A method of monitoring at least one subject in accordance with claim 12 wherein step b) and step c) are performed by accessing a portable memory device carried by the subject.

17. A method of monitoring at least one subject from a fixed location in accordance with claim 12 wherein step e) includes:

i) repeating step d) and step e) a fixed number of times in the event the physiological parameter does not lie within boundary limits of the physiological parameter definition data and proceeding to step f) after the fixed number of times.

18. A monitoring system comprising at least one monitoring station, a remote central station and a communications link interconnecting the monitoring station with the remote central station, the monitoring station including a processor, a memory associated with the processor, monitoring station location data, monitored subject physiological parameter identification definition data and monitored subject location definition data being stored in the memory, the processor being coupled to an input device for retrieving monitored subject physiological parameter sampling data, the processor determining whether the physiological parameter sampling data lies within boundary limits of the physiological parameter identification definition data and recording an out of boundary condition in a transaction event log, the processor determining whether the stored monitoring station location data lies within boundary limits of the subject location definition data and recording an out of boundary condition in a transaction event log, the processor transmitting an event log of recorded out of boundary conditions including data representative of the monitoring station location to the remote central monitoring station through the communications link.

19. A monitoring system as constructed in accordance with claim 18 further including an access control operatively connected to the processor, the processor actuating the access control when the monitored subject physiological parameter sampling data is within the boundary limits of the monitored subject physiological parameter identification definition data and the monitoring station location data is within the boundary limits of the monitored subject location definition data.

20. A monitoring system as constructed in accordance with claim 18 wherein the processor records a within boundary condition in a transaction event log when the monitored subject physiological parameter sampling data is within the boundary limits of the monitored subject physiological parameter identification definition data and the monitoring station location data is within the boundary limits of the monitored subject location definition data.