Abstract:
This invention relates generally to movable object tracking systems. More specifically, this invention relates to a child tracker apparatus that can be attached to a child and tracked on demand. A unique feature of this invention is that the tracker apparatus is built into an orthodontic appliance that provides a high stealth factor and makes it difficult to remove. When activated it transmits its location through a cellular network to a communication, monitoring and control center and finally to one of a family of display devices.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to movable object tracker systems. More specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus that can be attached to a child and tracked on demand. A unique feature of this invention is that the apparatus is built into an orthodontic appliance that provides a high stealth factor and makes it difficult to remove. When activated it transmits its location through a cellular network to a communication, monitoring and control center and then to any one of a family of display or communication devices such as telephone, internet, laptop, hand held tracking modules, etc. 
         [0003]    2. Prior Art 
         [0004]    Currently GPS receivers are mounted in bracelets or other jewelry, installed in backpacks, attached to clothing or inserted in shoes to allow determination of the location of a child at any given point in time. Unfortunately, one of the first things an abductor is likely to do is to quickly change the child&#39;s appearance by replacing the clothes that the child was wearing at the time of the abduction and discarding or destroying an obvious tracking device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The general object of the present invention is to provide a safe and easy to use tracking apparatus that is attached securely to a child without subcutaneous intervention in such a manner as to be undetectable by a potential abductor. 
         [0006]    In the first embodiment a power source, a transceiver and antenna, and an RFID device are attached to a set of transpalatal wires that are mounted on orthodontic bands that are cemented to the maxillary molars. 
         [0007]    A second embodiment has a power source, a transceiver and antenna, and an RFID device embedded in a typical molded plastic retainer. This embodiment can be removed while the child is eating and is also easier to clean, install and change the batteries when required. 
         [0008]    A third embodiment adds a GPS receiver and antenna to the orthodontic appliance. 
         [0009]    A fourth embodiment embeds a GPS receiver and antenna in a typical molded plastic retainer. 
         [0010]    The specific objective of this invention is to provide a very low power consumption child tracker system that utilizes the existing infrastructure and takes advantage of government mandated location capabilities of cell phones or other cellular devices that are in the vicinity of the child tracker apparatus known as opportunity carriers:
       1. to serve as an apparatus used in tracking a missing child when mounted in an orthodontic appliance utilizing signals from a plurality of cellular towers, calculating and communicating its location coordinates, utilizing a low power wireless communication technology connected to a cellular network, to a communication center on demand.       
 
         [0012]    2. to serve as an apparatus used in tracking a missing child when mounted in an orthodontic appliance utilizing signals from a minimum of three Global Positioning Satellites and positioning capability of proximate cellular devices to calculate and communicate its location coordinates, utilizing a low power wireless communication technology connected to a cellular network, to a communication center on demand. 
         [0013]    3. to serve as an apparatus used in tracking a missing child when mounted in an orthodontic appliance utilizing signals from a minimum of three Global Positioning Satellites and an onboard GPS receiver communicating its location coordinates, utilizing a low power wireless communication technology connected to a cellular network, to a communication center on demand. 
         [0014]    4. to serve as an apparatus used in tracking a missing child when mounted in an orthodontic appliance utilizing signals from a combination of Global Positioning Satellites and cellular towers and positioning capability of proximate cellular devices to calculate and communicate its location coordinates, utilizing a low power wireless communication technology connected to a cellular network, to a communication center on demand. 
     
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    In order that the invention may be more fully understood it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a Child Tracker Apparatus showing a power source, a transceiver and antenna, and an RFID device attached to an orthodontic appliance mounted on a child&#39;s upper rear molars. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a Child Tracker Apparatus showing a power source, a transceiver and antenna, and an RFID device embedded in a typical retainer. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of a Child Tracker Apparatus showing a power source, a transceiver and antenna, an RFID device and a GPS receiver and antenna attached to an orthodontic appliance mounted on a child&#39;s upper rear molars. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is perspective view of a Child Tracker Apparatus showing a power source, a transceiver and antenna, an RFID device and a GPS receiver and antenna embedded in a typical retainer. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a system utilizing a cellular tower triangulation method for position calculation and a cellular communication link between a control center and Child Tracker Apparatus. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is block diagram of a system utilizing a global positioning satellite system and the positioning capability in proximate cellular devices and a cellular communication link between a control center and a Child Tracking Apparatus. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a system utilizing a global positioning satellite system, an onboard GPS receiver and antenna for position calculation and a cellular communication link between a control center and a Child Tracking Apparatus. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0023]    The same reference numbers are used to refer to the same or similar parts in the various views. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 - Child Tracker Tracker 
               
               
                   
                 12 - transceiver &amp; antenna 
               
               
                   
                 14 - GPS antenna 
               
               
                   
                 16 - removable power source 
               
               
                   
                 18 - pressure activated on-switch 
               
               
                   
                 20 - retainer 
               
               
                   
                 22 - transpalatal arch wires 
               
               
                   
                 24 - orthodontic bands 
               
               
                   
                 26 - global positioning satellites (not 
               
               
                   
                 part of this invention) 
               
               
                   
                 28 - coordinate display (not part of 
               
               
                   
                 this invention) 
               
               
                   
                 30 - maxillary molars (not part of this 
               
               
                   
                 invention) 
               
               
                   
                 32 - upper arch (not part of this 
               
               
                   
                 invention) 
               
               
                   
                 34 - communication, monitoring and 
               
               
                   
                 control center (not part of this 
               
               
                   
                 invention) 
               
               
                   
                 36 - GPS receiver 
               
               
                   
                 38 - cell phone tower (not part of this 
               
               
                   
                 invention) 
               
               
                   
                 40 - opportunity carrier (proximate 
               
               
                   
                 cellular device (not part of this 
               
               
                   
                 invention)) 
               
               
                   
                 42 - RFID device 
               
               
                   
                 44 - alarm (not part of this invention) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    In order that the invention may be more fully understood, Child Tracker Apparatus  10  will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of Child Tracker Apparatus  10  that is comprised of orthodontic bands  24  cemented to maxillary molars  30  in a child&#39;s mouth. There are two transpalatal arch wires  22  silver soldered to orthodontic bands  24  arching above them into upper arch  32  of roof of the child&#39;s mouth. Fastened to transpalatal arch wires  22  are transceiver and antenna  12 , removably attached power source  16 , RFID device  42  and pressure activated on-switch  18  to allow the child to transmit his location if he is lost or abducted. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of Child Tracker Apparatus  10  mounted in a typical Hawley retainer  20  with transceiver and antenna  12 , pressure activated on-switch  18 , RFID device  42  and removable power source  16  embedded in the plastic body. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates a third embodiment of Child Tracker Apparatus  10  that is comprised of orthodontic bands  24  cemented to maxillary molars  30  in a child&#39;s mouth. There are two transpalatal arch wires  22  silver soldered to orthodontic bands  24  arching above them into upper arch  32  of roof of the child&#39;s mouth. Fastened to transpalatal arch wires  22  are transceiver and antenna  12 , removable power source  16 , RFID device  42 , and pressure activated on-switch  18 , GPS receiver  36  and antenna  14 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a fourth embodiment of Child Tracker Apparatus  10  mounted in a typical Hawley retainer  20  with transceiver and antenna  12 , pressure activated on-switch  18 , RFID device  42 , removable power source  16 , GPS receiver  36  and antenna  14  embedded in the plastic body. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  shows Child Tracker Apparatus  10  installed in a child&#39;s mouth utilizing the commonly known triangulation technique with a plurality of cellular towers  38 , to determine the location coordinates of opportunity carrier  40  in a proximate position to Child Tracker Apparatus  10 . Communication, monitoring and control center  34  is shown sending the wake up and report alarm  44  to Child Tracker Apparatus  10  and receiving its location coordinates in return. Communication, monitoring and control center  34  is then shown feeding location coordinates to coordinate display  28 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  shows Child Tracker Apparatus  10  installed in a child&#39;s mouth utilizing a global positioning satellite system with a minimum of three satellites  26  and the positioning capability in cellular devices in close proximity to Child Tracker Apparatus  10  known as opportunity carriers  40  to determine the location coordinates of opportunity carrier  40 . Communication, monitoring and control center  34  is shown sending the wake up and report alarm  44  to Child Tracker Apparatus  10  and receiving its location coordinates in return. Communication, monitoring and control center  34  is then shown feeding location coordinates to coordinate display  28 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  shows Child Tracker Apparatus  10  installed in a child&#39;s mouth utilizing a global positioning satellite system with a minimum of three satellites  26  and GPS receiver  36  to determine the location coordinates of Child Tracker Apparatus  10 . Communication, monitoring and control center  34  is shown sending wake up and report alarm  44  to Child Tracker Apparatus  10  and receiving its location coordinates in return. Communication, monitoring and control center  34  is then shown feeding location coordinates to coordinate display  28 . 
         [0032]    The preferred embodiments show a replaceable, rechargeable battery as power source  16 . This invention also encompasses such systems as those that convert the kinetic energy from the motion of the jaw during eating, speech and general movement into electrical energy to be fed back into the battery to extend its life. Other low power battery systems can be made from the normal acidity of human saliva which can also be used to create small charging current to prolong the battery life. 
       OPERATION 
       [0033]      FIG. 5  shows a system for the operation of the first and second embodiments of Child Tracker apparatus  10 . Child Tracker Apparatus  10  is given a wake up and report command when opportunity carrier  40  recognizes RFID device  42  after communication, monitoring and control center  34  has broadcast alarm  44 , or is turned on by a child in distress by applying pressure to on-switch  18 . When Child Tracker Apparatus  10  is activated it sends out its RFID device  42  identity data and the time through the onboard transceiver  12 , utilizing an existing low cost and power, wireless communication technology such as Zigbee™ or Bluetooth™ to opportunity carrier  40  which is any position location capable cellular device in the proximity of Child Tracker Apparatus  10 . A commonly known triangulation method using multiple cellular towers is utilized for locating the position of opportunity carrier  40 . Opportunity carrier  40  relays its location coordinates through a cellular network of ubiquitous towers  38  to readily available Wide Area Network systems to communication, monitoring and control center  34  and then to one of a family of coordinate display units  28 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  shows a second system for the operation of the first and second embodiments of Child Tracker Apparatus  10 . Child Tracker Apparatus  10  is given a wake up and report command when opportunity carrier  40  recognizes RFID device  42  after communication, monitoring and control center  34  has broadcast alarm  44 , or is turned on by a child in distress by applying pressure to on-switch  18 . When Child Tracker Apparatus  10  is activated it sends out its RFID device  42  identity data and the time through the onboard transceiver  12  utilizing an existing low cost and power wireless communication technology such as Zigbee™ or Bluetooth™ to opportunity carrier  40 . It then utilizes the positioning capability in opportunity carriers  40  and a minimum of three satellites  26  or a combination of less than three satellites  26  and one or more cellular towers  38  for determining its location coordinates. Opportunity carrier  40  relays the location coordinates through a cellular network of ubiquitous towers  38  to readily available Wide Area Network systems to communication, monitoring and control center  34  and then to one of a family of coordinate display units  28 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  shows a third system for the operation of the third and fourth embodiments of Child Tracker Apparatus  10 . Child Tracker Apparatus  10  is given a wake up and report command when opportunity carrier  40  recognizes RFID device  42  after communication, monitoring and control center  34  has broadcast alarm  44 , or is turned on by a child in distress by applying pressure to on-switch  18 . When Child Tracker Apparatus  10  is activated, it utilizes GPS receiver  36  and a minimum of three satellites  26  to calculate its location coordinates. This system can also use a combination of two satellites  26  and one cellular tower  38  to calculate its location coordinates. It then sends out its RFID device  42  identity data, the time and its location coordinates through the onboard transceiver  12  utilizing an existing low cost and power wireless communication technology such as Zigbee™ or Bluetooth™ to opportunity carrier  40 . Opportunity carrier  40  relays the location coordinates through a cellular network of ubiquitous towers  38  to readily available Wide Area Network systems to communication, monitoring and control center  34  and then to one of a family of coordinate display units  28 . 
         [0036]    Each unit of Child Tracker Apparatus  10  is programmable at the installation point with individual identification numbers as with RFID devices  42  that contain the preferred identification communication chain of events and structures. Child Tracker Apparatus  10  can be programmed to function with any commercially available communication, monitoring and control center  34 . Speed and direction of movement can also be ascertained by using timed queries. 
         [0037]    Satellites  26 , opportunity carriers  40 , cellular towers  38  communication, data collection and monitoring centers  34 , coordinate display  28 , molars  30 , and the upper arch  32  and alarm  44  are shown in phantom lines for illustrative purposes and form no part of this invention. 
         [0038]    The preceding descriptions are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims rather than by the specific examples given.