System and method for monitoring alarms and responding to the movement of individuals and assets

• US 7,864,047 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2009
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sierra Wireless America Incorporated (Sierra Wireless Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Omnilink Systems Incorporated (Sierra Wireless Incorporated)
• Inventors: Aninye, Steve, Rajala, Yoganand
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US12/350,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20090174550A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.18, 340/902, 340/904, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/539.16, 340/539.17, 340/825.49, 701/1, 701/213, 455/404.2, 455/456.3, 455/414.1, 455/414.2
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• 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 21/0272 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0423 detecting deviation from an expected pattern of behaviour or schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0492 Sensor dual technology, i.e. two or more technologies collaborate to extract unsafe condition, e.g. video tracking and RFID tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/006 Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

A monitoring system is provided, by which alarm information and location data from a wireless personal tracking device carried by an individual is transmitted to an administrative hub for processing and action according to defined rules, including dispatching optimum assistance in the event of an alarm. Simultaneous monitoring of a plurality of individuals with diverse tracking units and effective event recording and reporting can be implemented.

Claims

1. In connection with a monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of wireless communication and location data collecting devices associated with system users and system responders, the monitoring system for managing alarm signals via an administrative hub, the administrative hub comprising a location database and a database associating each user and responder of the system with a respective wireless communication and location data collecting device, a method of providing assistance to a user comprising the steps of:

(a) the administrative hub monitoring the location of a plurality of responders carrying wireless communication and location devices;

(b) the administrative hub receiving a user transmitted signal from a user using an associated wireless communication and location device, the signal indicating an alarm;

(c) the administrative hub receiving location data from the associated user wireless communication and location device, and the administrative hub determining the location of the user; and

(d) the administrative hub determining an optimum responder from the plurality of responders, the optimum responder based on the location of the associated user device and the monitored location of the plurality of responders, and the administrative hub dispatching the optimum responder to the location of the user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the administrative hub communicates the location of the plurality of responders and the user location and alarm signal to a security service.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the administrative hub analyzes the location history of the user in determining an address for dispatching the optimum responder.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication and location device is a GPS enabled cellular telephone.

3. The method of claim I wherein the plurality of responders is selected from the group of off duty police, private security personnel, on-duty police, and paramedic personnel.

5. A monitoring system for directing an optimum responder selected from a group of responders to a signal from a system user comprising:

(a) a plurality of wireless communication and location devices associated with responders;

(b) a plurality of wireless communication and location devices associated with users;

(c) an administrative hub having a location database, a database associating users of the system with respective wireless communication and location data collecting devices, and a database associating responders with respective wireless communication and location devices; and

(d) a dispatch network;

wherein the administrative hub is operative to monitor the locations of the plurality of responders, to receive alarm signals and location information from users, to determine an optimum responder from the plurality of responders based on the location of an associated user device that generates an alarm signal and the monitored location of the plurality of responders, and to provide this data to the dispatch network.

6. The monitoring system of claim 5 wherein the administrative hub is at a remote location from the dispatch network.