Abstract:
A child monitoring system is provided for facilities and areas where parents and children generally enter and exit together, but are likely to become separated while in the facility or area. Using devices on a child&#39;s person coupled with monitoring devices on exit and entry ways, parents may be alerted in the event that a child wanders off or is the subject of an abduction attempt. Upon crossing a monitoring point, an alarm is triggered to alert parents and public safety officials of an unauthorized exit attempt. Thus with this system, a monitored child can not leave a monitored location (e.g., store, museum, etc) alone nor without the child&#39;s parent or guardian.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to surveillance systems, and more particularly, to a method and system for detecting in real time a child&#39;s passage from a secure area. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     According to statistics from the FBI&#39;s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), nearly 850,000 people are reported missing each year. Approximately 90% of those missing persons are under the age of eighteen, representing a total of about 725,000 annual juvenile cases. While many of these cases are quickly resolved, many others are abductions that often result in violence. In order to guard against such abductions, an increasing number of child tracking and child monitoring solutions are being marketed to parents. 
     Electronic detection systems are well known and have been applied to diverse applications. Such systems often include an indicator tag attached to a child to be detected by detection devices positioned near passageways for detection of an unauthorized passage of the child. 
     Child tracking and child monitoring systems are needed at public facilities such as retail stores, libraries, museums, theme parks, coliseums, stadiums, shopping centers, daycare centers and zoos. Some of these facilities have a multitude of obstructions, such as long and high counters with intervening aisles, large displays, walls separating rooms and numerous floors. A child could easily become lost in such an environment, in particular, amidst a multitude of shoppers. There is also the possibility that the child may become the victim of a kidnapping or abduction. The fact that the child is missing may not be detected for a substantial period of time because the parent may be engrossed in the shopping activity or believe that the child is safe. Unfortunately, the child may quickly separate from the parent by virtue of wandering or abduction. 
     The child monitoring systems that have had the most success to date in the mass market typically rely on global positioning satellite (GPS) technology. Known GPS locator tags, for example on a watch or backpack, provide satellite tracking capabilities to the wearer of the article. For a monthly fee, parents are able to access a GPS service provider&#39;s telephone number or website to request a locate of their child. This need to interface with a specific cellular telephone network is a glaring weakness of the GPS systems. If a child is located in an area where a server&#39;s provider&#39;s network provides no coverage, information can not be relayed to the central service and can not be made available to parents. In other words, areas without good network coverage create holes where tracking may not be successful. Another weakness with GPS centric systems is the potential difficulty to perform a locate indoors. Distributors of the GPS products indicate that the product is primarily intended for outdoor use. 
     Radio frequency identification (RFID) is surging in popularity as more and more uses for the technology are found. In early implementations, the technology was generally used for asset tracking in the shipping, manufacturing, retail and livestock industries. As wireless technologies infiltrate many segments of our society and prices of associated infrastructure decrease, it is more practical to look at RFID for other applications. 
     A basic RFID system consists of three components; an antenna or coil, a transceiver (with decoder), and a transponder (e.g., RF tag) electronically programmed with unique information. In a basic RFID system, the antenna emits radio signals to activate the tag and to read and write data to it. Antennas are the conduits between the tag and the transceiver, which controls the system&#39;s data acquisition and communication. Antennas can be placed at an entry/exit, for example, into or adjacent a door frame, to receive tag data from persons passing through the door. The electromagnetic field produced by an antenna can be constantly present, even when multiple tags are continually expected to pass. If constant interrogation is not required, the field can be activated as needed by a sensor device. 
     Often the antenna is packaged with the transceiver and decoder to become a reader (e.g., interrogator), which can be configured either as a hand-held or fixed mound device. The reader emits radio waves in ranges of from about one inch to over 100 feet, depending upon its power output and the radio frequency used. When an RFID tag passes through the electromagnetic zone of the reader, it detects the reader&#39;s activation signal. The reader decodes the tags data and the data is passed to a host computer for processing. 
     RFID tags are categorized as either active or passive. Active RFID tags are independently powered, generally by an internal battery, and are typically read/write devices (e.g., tag data can be rewritten and/or modified). An active tag&#39;s memory size varies to application requirements. In a typical read/write RFID system, a tag might give a machine a set of instructions, and the machine would then report its performance to the tag. This encoded data would then become part of the tagged part&#39;s history. The battery-supplied power of an active tag generally gives it a longer read range than a passive RFID tag, with the trade off of greater size, cost and a limited operational life. 
     Passive RFID tags operate without an internal power source and obtain operating power from the reader. Passive tags are consequently much lighter than active tags, less expensive, and offer a virtually unlimited operational lifetime period. The trade off is that passive RFID tags have shorter read ranges than active tags and require a higher powered reader. Read-only tags are typically passive and programmed with a unique set of data that can not be modified. Read-only tags typically operate as a license plate into a data base, in the same way linear bar codes reference a data base containing modifiable product-specific information. 
     RFID systems are also distinguished by their frequency ranges. Low-frequency systems (e.g., about 30 KHz to about 500 KHz) have shorter reading ranges and lower system costs. They are most commonly used in security access, asset tracking, and animal identification applications. High-frequency systems (e.g., about 850 MHz to about 950 MHz and about 2.4 GHz to about 2.5 GHz) offer reading ranges greater than about 90 feet and high reading speeds. Such systems are used for such applications as railroad car tracking and automated tow collection. However, the high performance of high-frequency RFID systems incurs higher system cost. 
     A significant advantage of RFID systems is the non-contact, non-line-of-sight nature of the technology. Packs can be read in visually and environmentally challenging conditions. RFID tags can also be read at remarkable speeds, in many cases responding in less than 100 milliseconds. For these reasons, RFID has become indispensable for a wide range of automated data collection and identification applications that would not be possible otherwise. 
     Another technology, known as Bluetooth Systems, is a short range wireless technology that originally was designed to replace infrared in mobile applications. Bluetooth technology can be used to allow multiple devices to interact with each other within a maximum range of 10 to 50 meters. Child tracking systems are used in the European market for amusement parks, shopping centers and zoos using Bluetooth readers and tags. However, there are key drawbacks of this technology. The limited range of the Bluetooth readers creates a need for more infrastructure than an RFID system, which translates into higher installation costs. Also, the Bluetooth technology does not provide a proactive solution for alerting parents to the location of a child. Parents must use their cellular telephone to initiate a short messaging service (SMS) to the Bluetooth system server in order to retrieve information. This requires cellular telephone service to be sufficient in the area from which the SMS is sent. 
     Another type of tracking system appears to have only the ability to track tags at an assigned location. It would be beneficial to track children using the same bracelet or wristband at any location where a system is installed to save money and make the use of the tags affordable. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides amore reliable child monitoring solution focusing on facilities and areas where parents and children generally enter and exit together, but are likely to become separated while in the facility or area. Using devices on a child&#39;s person coupled with monitoring devices on exit and entry ways, parents may be alerted in the event that a child wanders off or is the subject of an abduction attempt. Upon crossing a monitoring point, an alarm is triggered to alert parents and public safety officials of an unauthorized exit attempt. Thus with this system, a monitored child can not leave a monitored location (e.g., store, museum, etc) alone nor without the child&#39;s parent or guardian. 
     According to the preferred embodiments, RFID tags are preferably attached to a device and form a registerable monitoring unit (e.g., bracelet, anklet, necklace, wrist strap, clip-on) that requires a parent-child matching procedure to be deregistered or deactivated. Parents can purchase the monitoring units or rent them at a location equipped with the child monitoring system, such as retail stores, a shopping mall or a sports venue. In order to ensure that a monitored child, or other person desired to be monitored, leaves the monitored area with the appropriate person, a matching system is provided between the appropriate person (e.g., parent, guardian) and the monitored child that does not allow the child to leave the confines of the monitored area without the appropriate person. Upon entry in a monitor location, the child&#39;s RFID tag device is registered at a local kiosk terminal to the local system to identify the child and the child&#39;s parent/guardian as being present in the building. Before exiting, the parent and child will deregister or deactivate the device at a local exit kiosk terminal in order to avoid setting off associated alarms. 
     A preferred child monitoring method includes registering a RFID tag device, matching the registered RFID tag device to a child and to a guardian of the child, with both the child and the guardian being located within a predetermined area and only the child wearing the registered RFID tag device, associating a security code to the registered RFID tag device, continuously monitoring entry and exit ways of the predetermined area for the registered RFID tag device, detecting the registered RFID tag device near one of the monitored entry and exit ways, sending an alarm, identifying the child and the guardian matching the registered RFID tag device, and deregistering the registered RFID tag device upon receipt of the associated security code. 
     In another embodiment, the registration and deregistration process are automatic and a kiosk terminal is not required. In this embodiment, the parent or guardian wears an RFID tag associated with the RFID tag of the child. As both tags pass through an entry or exit way, an RFID reader identifies both tags as corresponding with each other and automatically registers the tags upon entry or deregisters the tags upon exit if the tags, or persons wearing the tags pass through the entry or exit way within a predetermined time period (e.g., 1 to 10 seconds). Using this preferred embodiment, the system sets the alarm if a registered tag passes through an exit or entry way without its associated tag. 
     The preferred system allows a user to have one bracelet or wristband that works at any location where a system is installed. The ability to query back and forth between locations and a central server provides this flexibility. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, since the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a child protection system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an exemplary registration/de-registration process system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart describing a method of using the child protection system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In a preferred embodiment, a monitoring unit including a small passive RFID tag is placed on the person of a child. RFID readers are located near doors, windows, entry/exit ways or other desired locations to define a monitored area. The tag is registered to the child and a guardian using a matching system. If the tag enters a designated range of a reader, an alarm sounds and a central server indicates the tag that is associated with the violation. This tag is associated with personal information about the child wearing the tag and their guardian so that the system can access the database and determine who has crossed the monitored boundary and access and/or provide contact information for the guardian. 
     The monitoring unit can be placed, for example, on the child&#39;s wrist, neck or ankle, and preferable is only removed by use of a key or code. This monitoring unit can be registered to a database in a home, a retail facility (e.g., Wal-mart, K-mart, Target, etc.) or other location to monitor the movement of the child within selected monitored boundaries. While not being limited to a particular theory, the boundaries are monitored by RFID sensors or interrogators located on or near doors, windows, fences, pools, or exit/entry ways, with notification being made to the parent/guardian if the child crosses a boundary. The notification is provided in the form of an alarm or other sensory stimulant recognizable by the parent, guardian or security personnel as indicia of an unauthorized crossing. 
     Preferably, the registration process can be conducted via a registration device (e.g., a kiosk terminal) or with the help of a consultant at one of the security system locations. The kiosk terminal preferably includes a registration device (e.g., kiosk, touch screen) and RFID interrogator (e.g., RFID reader) for easy registration. Part of the registration includes assigning a security code (e.g., PIN code, password) to the child&#39;s RFID tag device that is required for deregistration of the device, ensuring that the child is leaving with the right person. The registration process, security code, and RFID tag are included in the matching system between the parent/guardian and the child that does not permit the child to leave the confines of the monitored area without the parent or guardian. 
     In addition to the RFID tag devices and kiosk terminals, the preferred child protection system includes interrogators/readers, a computer server, a database and software that manage the system. The child protection system may also include a local or wide area network, and additional servers, computers, databases and software as needed to implement the system in one location or multiple locations, as is readily understood by a skilled artisan. Accordingly this system could be implemented as a network of single systems in various locations, with each location compatible with the RFID tag devices to prevent unwanted exit of a monitored child or monitoring unit bearer from a monitor location. This provides the advantage that a parent/guardian can monitor the child in different stores with the same monitoring unit, preferably by registering and deregistering the RFID monitoring unit at each location. In this manner the parent or guardian saves money by purchasing or renting only one monitoring unit that is compatible with multiple locations instead of acquiring a unit for each location. 
     In addition to keeping track of each monitored child in a monitored area, the database could be used to shorten the time needed to register the child. For example, the matching system could be set up to register a previously registered child that is wearing the RFID tag device simply by reading the tag and, if desired, accepting authorization to monitor the child. Other personal information typically entered at the kiosk terminal (e.g., security code, name of child, name of parent/guardian, contact data) would already be stored in the database if the child, via the RFID tag device, was previously registered and typically the information would not need to be reentered. As an alternative, the screen at the kiosk terminal could automatically display the previously entered information stored by the database to the parent or guardian upon interrogation of the matched tag and request confirmation before reregistering the child. Of course, it is preferred that the security code is not displayed. Instead the matching system could request that the security code be entered, reentered or validated as desired. 
     As an example of the preferred embodiment,  FIG. 1  shows an overview of the child protection system  10 , including databases and network connections between components of the system. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the child protection system  10  includes RFID readers  12  for monitoring RFID tags  14  registered to a person (e.g., a child) in a monitored area or facility (e.g., one or more stores). While not being limited to a particular theory, the child protection system also preferably includes a registration kiosk  16 , a local server  18  and a system-wide server  20 . 
     The RFID readers  12  are installed preferably at all entrance and exit locations of a monitored facility. If desired, RFID readers  12  may also be installed at transfer locations (e.g., between departments, limited personnel authorization zones, windows) within the facility that a child may unexpectedly pass through. The RFID tag  14  is sufficiently small and thin, as understood by a skilled artisan, to fit within a bracelet. The bracelet is preferably made of plastic and includes a locking mechanism, for example, a locking mechanism similar to those used with bracelet or anklets commonly attached to persons under house arrest or confinement. The preferred tag is attached to a monitored individual via the bracelet, in part because bracelets are often visible and may be difficult for a child to remove unassisted. 
     The kiosk  16  is a registration device preferably located near a main entrance or exit of the monitoring facility. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the kiosk  16  includes a touch screen  22  for data entry, and a RFID reader  12  for automated data capture via interrogation of a RFID tag  14 . The touch screen  22  is a communication device that could also be used to communicate registration data manually from a user in lieu of or in addition to the automated data capture of the kiosk RFID reader  12 . While not being limited to a particular theory, the kiosk  16  is communicatively connected to the local server  18  via a wired or wireless Ethernet  24 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the kiosk  16  request information from the user, including a bracelet identification (e.g., RFID tag identification) that may be obtained by manual entry at the touch screen  22  and/or by the RFID reader  12  at the kiosk  16 . The registration and de-registration processes require a PIN code. The PIN code is set by the user during registration when the user initializes the RFID tag  14 . Initialization requires basic guardian and child information, preferably including but not limited to name, address, phone number, email address, etc. During the initialization process at registration, the kiosk  16  may also request a backup security question and answer of the type similar to what credit card companies or websites require in case of a lost PIN. Some exemplary questions include mother&#39;s maiden name, place of birth, name of pet, etc. Although not required, the kiosk  16  may provide a confirmation of the registration or de-registration at the specific facility. The confirmation would include a timestamp and location or name of the monitored area or facility. While not being limited to a particular theory, the confirmation would preferably be printable, but could be presented in alternative forms, such as beamed to the user&#39;s PDA. 
     The local server  18  includes a local database  26  that stores information about the RFID readers  12  and locally registered users, including associated RFID tag identification numbers, user information and PIN codes, at the monitored facility. As noted in part above, the local server  18  communicates with the kiosk  16  and RFID readers via wired or wireless Ethernet. The local server  18  is communicatively coupled to the system-wide server  20  via a wide-area-network (WAN) or Internet  28 . 
     The system-wide server  20  includes a subscriber database  30  that stores information about all facilities that use the child protection system  10 , including user information and current registrations. While not being limited to a particular theory, the system-wide server  20  communicates with each monitored location and facility server  18  and local database  26  via the WAN/Internet  28 . 
     Every location (e.g., local server  18  at a facility) knows the detail (e.g., location) of the readers  14  and entry/exit points. Its local database  26  stores information of everyone that is currently registered at that site and their associated activity. The activity information is held locally for some period of time (e.g., three months) before being archived at the subscriber database  30 . All of the available bracelets—both initialized and not yet initialized, would be known in the subscriber database  30 . All user information would also be stored in the subscriber database  30  and queries from the local servers  18  would be sent to the subscriber database as needed for relevant bracelet and user information. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary flowchart of the registration/de-registration process, including interaction between a user and the child protection system  10  at the kiosk  16  of a monitored facility. At Step  100 , a user (e.g., guardian, parent) approaches the kiosk  16  with a RFID tag bracelet adapted to fit an accompanying child. If it is the user&#39;s first time at the kiosk  16 , then the child protection system  10  executes an initialization process at Step  102 ; otherwise, the system executes a registration/de-registration process at Step  104 . 
     Regarding the initialization process  102 , at Step  106 , the user is prompted for and enters the identification number of the RFID tag  14  in the bracelet at the kiosk  16  via a RFID reader  12  or via a manual touch screen entry. Basic user information is requested and entered via the touch screen  22  at Step  108 . While not being limited to a particular theory, the kiosk  16  request and accepts the user&#39;s name, address, phone number and email address, and forwards the user information to the local server  18  via the Ethernet  24  for storage in the local database  26 . At Step  110 , the child protection system  10  requests the PIN code, which is entered by the user and forwarded to the local server  18 . This PIN code and user information is also communicated to the system-wide server  20 , at Step  112 , for storage in the subscriber database  30 . At Step  114 , confirmation of the data upload is provided to the user, and the touch screen  22  illustrates a registration screen at Step  116 . If the user wants to register, and have a child monitored at that location and time, then the user begins the registration process at Step  104 , otherwise the touch screen  22  defaults to a welcome screen. 
     Regarding the registration/de-registration process, at Step  118 , the user is prompted for and enters the identification number of the RFID tag  14  in the bracelet at the kiosk  16  via a RFID reader  12  or via a manual touch screen entry. At Step  120 , the child protection system  10  request the user&#39;s PIN code; this is entered at the touch screen  22 , at Step  122 . It should be noted that Steps  118  through  122  may be skipped for a user that is using the kiosk  16  for the first time, and has just completed the initialization process  102 . Continuing with the process, at Step  124  the PIN code and RFID tag identification are checked against the user&#39;s PIN code and RFID tag identification that were previously entered by the user during the initialization process or subsequently revised. This previous information is stored at the system-wide server  20 . 
     If the PIN code and RFID tag identification entered at Steps  122  and  118 , respectively, do not match the user&#39;s stored PIN code and RFID tag identification, then the process loops back to Step  120  where the child protection system  10  again request the user&#39;s PIN code. It should be noted that if RFID tag identification entered at Step  118  does not match the user&#39;s stored RFID tag identification (ID), then the process could also loop back to Step  118  for re-entry of the tag ID. While it is not shown in  FIG. 2 , if the entered and re-entered PIN code and RFID tag ID fail to match the user&#39;s stored PIN code and RFID tag identification a predetermined number of times (e.g., three), then the process may loop back to the initialization process  102  and reinitialize the user and tag. 
     If the PIN code and RFID tag identification, entered at Steps  122  and  118 , match the user&#39;s stored PIN code and RFID tag identification, then, at Step  126 , the child protection system  10  updates the remote and local servers with the location information of the RFID tag  14 . At Step  128 , the child protection system  10  prints or beams a registration confirmation to the user, which also ends the registration process  104 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary flowchart, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the child protection system  10 , showing the operation of the system. At Step  200  an RFID tag  14  adapted to be carried on a child enters a monitored facility. The RFID tag  14  is registered at a kiosk  16 , and initialized if needed, at Step  202 . The registration indicates to the local server  18  and the system-wide server  20  that the tag  14  is in the perimeter entry/exit area and must not exit without being deregistered. At Step  204 , registration data is communicated to the local server  18  and the system-wide server  20 . As part of this step, the system-wide server  20  is queried to determine if the tag ID and the PIN code entered by the user match the information gathered during the initialization of the RFID tag  14 . Steps  202  and  204  are described in greater detail above with respect to the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , after the registration the tag is monitored within the monitoring area of the facility. At some time, designated as Step  206 , the tag  14  crosses a RFID reader  12  at one of the entry or exit locations. At Step  208 , the reader  12  identifies the tag  14  and communicates the tag ID to the local server  18 . As noted above, all readers  12  maintain a data connection with the local server  18 , preferably via wired or wireless Ethernet. The local server  18  retrieves the registration/de-registration status and forwards the status as needed to the reader  12  that located the tag, at Step  210 . The registration status is important for determining if the person wearing the tag is authorized to leave the facility. In addition, it is possible that the child protection system  10  will locate a tag on the premises that was not registered because nobody wanted to have the tag and the person carrying the tag monitored at that time. 
     The system  10 , and most preferably the local server  18  determines if the RFID tag  14  has been de-registered. If the tag  14  has been de-registered, most likely at a kiosk  16 , then the system&#39;s monitoring of the tag is ended and no alarm is sounded. However, if the tag  14  has not been de-registered, then the tag is active and, at Step  212 , the child protective system  10  sounds an alarm, focusing on the entry/exit location of the tagged individual carrying the active tag. If the tagged individual (e.g., child) is with its legal guardian, then the individual and guardian must return to a kiosk  16  and de-register the tag  14  at Step  214 . If the tagged individual is not with its legal guardian, then at Step  216 , the guardian and proper authorities are alerted to the unauthorized exit attempt by the individual, and the individual is kept by the authorities until the guardian arrives. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.