Wearable monitoring devices, systems and methods

A wearable monitoring device for securely remaining coupled to a user and recording data pertaining to the user is provided. The device includes a main body, which has a display for viewing, a magnet for aligning the main body to other objects, a rechargeable battery for powering the main body and a computing module for storing, transferring and analyzing data. The device also includes a band extending from a first end of the main body to a second end of the main body for permitting coupling of the device to a user. The band may include anti-tampering features for preventing uncoupling of the device from a user without detection.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards wearable safety devices that can be worn by people to allow for monitoring and communication to provide protection against abuse and/or abduction. Specifically, such a device may include data collection capabilities, remote communications capabilities, and anti-tampering security features for assisting a user and/or the monitoring entity by ensuring placement and use of the device, allowing identification and tracking of location of the user and device, and allowing communication between the user and monitoring entity if need be.

BACKGROUND

Violence and domestic abuse are a pervasive problem. Protecting victims from future abuse requires innovative solutions. There have been a number of software applications and other digital solutions that have focused on passing along helpful information and resources to victims. Further, a number of wearable devices have been developed permitting a victim to manually signal for assistance when confronted by an abuser or potential threat. While these innovations are useful, they require action by the victim, who may be disinclined to act, or may be prevented from acting. It is well known that victims of domestic violence are often deterred from taking action by their abuser, whether from fear, manipulation or physical detainment. Accordingly, there remains a need for a device, system and method of use that addresses the various disadvantages associated with currently victim-assisting technology as well as abuser monitoring technology. Specifically, secure and automatic detection of threats and harm should be made available to victims so that assistance cannot be prevented by the abuser.

Additionally, child safety is another societal concern that continues to grow. With many single parent families and families where both parents need to work, children are often left alone. Nany cams and other similar monitoring systems can provide some level of comfort and security to parents but only if the child and/or the person watching the child are within the space being monitored. For children of a certain age, smart phones and smart watches can be used to provide some level of monitoring. This level of monitoring only works if the child is of an age to have such devices. Additionally, the level of monitoring is dependent upon the child having the device with them. The child has to be responsible enough to have the device with them. Also, there is a concern that that the child may intentionally or unintentionally not have the smart phone or smart watch with them. Having a way to monitoring the children and their whereabouts without fear of a monitoring device not being with the child remains a concern.

Devices to be worn on the body are becoming ubiquitous. These devices require power to function and charging the devices typically requires removing the device or for the user to remain stationary while the device is being worn. For many users, the temporary functional unavailability, the repeated removing/reattachment wears down both the device and patience of the user, as well as risks the device being lost. There have been a number of innovative solutions that have focused on charging a device while being worn, but they typically obstruct the user's full use of their hands, feet or body. Accordingly, there remains a need for a charger, system and method of use that addresses the various disadvantages associated with current devices being worn and the methods for charging them. Specifically, a charger which can charge a device while being worn, without inconveniencing the wearer is herein provided. The charge may be used to ensure the victim's device described herein remains charged while being worn by the victim.

SUMMARY

According to at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a wearable monitoring device is provided. The monitoring device can comprise a main body defining a first end opposite a second end, an interior surface opposite an exterior surface and both extending between the first end and the second end and a display positioned on the exterior surface. The monitoring device can also comprise at least one magnet positioned on a side surface extending between the first end, the second end, the interior surface and the exterior surface, and at least one battery positioned proximal the at least one magnet and housed within the main body. The monitoring device can additionally comprise a computing module housed within the main body, wherein the computing module includes a processor and memory. Further, the monitoring device can comprise a band configured to extend from the first end to the second end for defining a void between the interior surface and the band. In some embodiments, the monitoring device can comprise a durable securement cable housed within the band to delay a rapid cutting attempt. In some embodiments, the monitoring device can comprise a fiber optic cable housed within the band that can extend along the length of the band with a light source, such as a n emitter, transmitter, or transceiver on one end and a light receiving sensor, such as a receiver or a detector on the other end. If the fiber optic cable is damaged, the receiver can detect it and the monitoring device can silently report an attempt to remove the device, such as a cutting attempt. For example, the monitoring device can be designed to alert designated authority entities when there is a loss of light in the receiving sensor. In some embodiments, the monitoring device can comprise delicate breakable metal circuitry housed within the band and extending across the length of the band. The delicate breakable metal circuitry can be connected to a transmitter or transceiver of an electric circuit on one end and a receiver/sensor of an electric circuit on the other end. The delicate breakable metal circuitry can be designed such that the electric circuit can alert designated authority entities when there are shearing forces damage the delicate breakable metal circuitry breaking the electric flow leading to a circuit break with loss of electrical flow to the receiving sensor.

According to at least another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a wearable charger is provided. The charger includes a main body defining a first end opposite a second end, an interior surface opposite an exterior surface and both extending between the first end and the second end, and one or more side surfaces extending between the first end, the second end, the interior surface and the exterior surface; a display positioned on one of the surface of the main body; at least one magnet positioned on one of the surfaces of the main body; at least one battery positioned within the main body; a male band extending from the first end; a female band extending from the second end for selectively engaging with the male band or a flexible open-ended band with return shape memory allowing for quick and easy attachment and/or removal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

These descriptions are presented with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. These descriptions expound upon and exemplify particular features of those particular embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matters. Although the term “step” may be expressly used or implied relating to features of processes or methods, no implication is made of any particular order or sequence among such expressed or implied steps unless an order or sequence is explicitly stated.

Any dimensions expressed or implied in the drawings and these descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to such exemplary dimensions. The drawings are not made necessarily to scale. Thus, not all embodiments within the scope of the drawings and these descriptions are made according to the apparent scale of the drawings with regard to relative dimensions in the drawings. However, for each drawing, at least one embodiment is made according to the apparent relative scale of the drawing.

Thus, embodiments of the subject matter of the disclosure are described herein with reference to schematic illustrations of embodiments that may be idealized. As such, variations from the shapes and/or positions of features, elements, or components within the illustrations as a result of, for example but not limited to, user preferences, manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Shapes, sizes and/or positions of features, elements or components illustrated in the figures may also be magnified, minimized, exaggerated, shifted, or simplified to facilitate explanation of the subject matter disclosed herein. Thus, the features, elements or components illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes and/or positions are not intended to illustrate the precise configuration of the subject matter and are not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein unless it specifically stated otherwise herein

Although the terms first, second, right, left, front, back, top, bottom, etc. may be used herein to describe various features, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these features, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature, element, component, region, layer, or section from another feature, element, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first feature, element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second feature, element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure herein

“Computers” or “computing device(s),” as used herein means one or more desktop computers, laptop computers, set-top devices, tablet computers, mobile devices, mobile smart devices, smartphones, wearable devices, servers, microcontroller, a device employing a central processing unit, and/or the like and includes, but is not limited to any mobile electronic device configured with imaging and/or computing capabilities. Such computing devices can include, but are not limited to, at least one of a mobile smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computing tablet, a personal media player, a wearable computing device, such as a smartwatch or smart bracelet, or any like mobile electronic device configured with imaging and/or computing capabilities. In some embodiments, the computing device may be provisioned with a hardware-based processor that is configured to execute software programs or applications.

It is to be understood that the ranges and limits mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed limits (i.e., subranges). For instance, a range from about 0.1 of a mile to about 5 miles also includes ranges from about one mile to about 4 miles, about 1,000 feet to about 3 miles, 1.2 miles to 2.8 miles, and about 0.9 miles to about 1.8 miles. Further, a limit of up to about 2 miles also includes a limit of up to about 0.5 miles, up to about 1 mile, and up to about 1.4 miles, as well as ranges within the limit, such as from about 0.1 of a mile to about 2 miles, and from about 1.1 miles to about 1.5 miles.

Referring toFIG.1A, a security system10of the present invention may include a wearable monitoring device12that can be worn by a user1and one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C. For example, the one or more computing devices14A,14B,14C can be any computing device that can process and monitor information shared by the monitoring device12via one or more networks16. For example, the one or more computing devices can be a desk top computer14A, a mobile smart device14B, such as a tablet or smart phone, or a mainframe computer14C. In some embodiments, the monitoring device12can communicate wireless via a mobile network, Wi-Fi network, or a combination thereof, with one remote computing device or multiple remote computing devices as shown. The device12and one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C may be configured to communicate with each other using any known communication methods. The device12may be worn by a user1for detecting conditions for storage and/or analyzation by the device12and/or computer14.

Depending on the intended purpose of the monitoring device12, the monitoring device can monitor different actions and environmental conditions. For example, for embodiments used to monitor abusive perpetrators, the device12may detect a violent act, undesirable tampering of the device12, a voice command, or a gunshot and communicate such condition to the one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C for subsequent action, such as alerting authorities or checking in with the user or a likely victim. The system may further include a charging system to keep the monitoring device12charged, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/337,353, filed Jun. 2, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein as described above.

Referring toFIG.1B, a schematic of an example of a computing module40of the monitoring device12used to operate the monitoring device12. The computing module40may include one or more processor(s)106, one or more communication interfaces108, and memory110(e.g., one or more hardware components for storing executable instructions, data, and/or the like). Communication interface(s)108may enable monitoring device12to communicate with one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C (e.g., via network(s)16or the like). Memory110may include (e.g., store, and/or the like) instructions112. When executed by processor(s)106, instructions112may cause monitoring device12to perform one or more operations, functions, and/or the like described herein.

FIGS.1C and2depict a shape and configuration of the main body20according to some embodiments without the band50that is used to secure the monitoring device12to the user1as shown inFIG.1A. In some embodiments, the device12can include a main body20coupled to a band50. The main body20may define a first end22opposite a second end24, an interior surface26opposite an exterior surface28. The surfaces26,28can extend between the first end22and the second end24. Further, the main body20may define at least one side34extending between the two ends22,24and the two surfaces26,28.

The main body20may include a display30for displaying information. The display30may also include one or more inputs for receiving commands from the user1. The input(s) may be a button, haptic surface, or some other tactile feature. The display30may be positioned at the exterior surface28for viewing by the user as shown inFIG.1C.

Turning toFIGS.3and7, the main body20may house a number of components, such as one or more sensors for sensing conditions. Sensors46of the device12may include one or more of any of the following: accelerometer48for sensing motion or acceleration (e.g., a piezoelectric accelerometer), a microphone45for sensing audio, a pressure sensor44or piezoelectric crystals for sensing pressure, a location sensor42(which may be a GPS transmitter), or any other sensor configured to detect a condition of the user or the environment in which the user is located. In some embodiments, the microphone45may capture audio sensed conditions and the computer module40and/or the one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C may perform analytics on the audio to identify gunshots, verbal threats or other notable audio events. Noise cancellation functions can be applied to the audio once captured or may be applied to the initial capture of sensed conditions through the microphone components itself. The sensors46of the device12may detect vibration and/or acceleration using an accelerometer48or other sensors46. The sensed conditions may be analyzed to identify punches or defense of punches or other violent acts.

Alternatively, if the monitoring device is used to track the well-being of a child, the sensed conditions that the sensors46track may be the child's actual location relative to a tagged location where they are supposed to be. Similarly, the sensed condition may be sensing whether someone is trying to remove the monitoring from the child, be it the child or someone else.

The main body20may further house a battery36for powering the display30, sensor(s)46, and/or a computing module40and can include wireless communication device43for wirelessly transmitting and receiving communications to and from the one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C. The battery36may be rechargeable and may be charged wirelessly or by using an electrical connection. The main body20may include one or more connection pins (or ports)37for charging the battery36and/or permitting data transfers through an electrical connection, such as software updates or installations, as well as stored conditions, analytics and other data. The port37may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, such as USB-C. The pin(s) or port(s)37may be in electrical communication with the battery36. In some embodiments, the battery36may include one or more coils for receiving a wireless energy transfer as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/337,353, filed Jun. 2, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein as described above. The wireless energy transfer may be received from a charging system.

According to some embodiments as shown inFIGS.3,7, and10-12, the monitoring device12can further include at least one magnet32for aligning the device12with a transmitter18S (the transmitter18being a device or connection between devices configured to transmit power to the battery36and/or communicate with the device12for the exchange of data). One or more transmitters18B,18S may be included in the charging system and may be alignable with transceiver coils39B,39S respectively, to receiving and transmit power and communications. The at least one magnet32may be positioned on the side surface34. In some embodiments, at least two magnets32may be positioned along the same side surface34, and a coil39S may be positioned between the two of the at least two magnets32as seen inFIGS.11and12. As shown inFIG.12, a battery band90can be provided to permit the charging of the monitoring device12while the monitoring device12is on the wrist of the wearer without having to remove the monitoring device12. The battery band can comprise main body94that can house one or more battery cells and a band92connected to either side of the main body94to allow the battery band to be held to the arm of the wearer when the battery band is linked to the monitoring device12to charge the monitoring device12. The battery band90can comprise a transmitter18S that may include correspondingly positioned magnets, thereby allowing the coil39S of the device12and the transmitter18S to align for effective communication. For example, such a configuration may permit the transmitter coil of the transmitter18S to align with the receiver coil39S of the battery36. In another example, where the main body20further includes pins37for electrical communication, the magnet(s)32of the device12may permit alignment with the transmitter18S for aligning the pins37with corresponding electrical connections of the transmitter18S.

According to some embodiments as shown inFIG.10, the main body20may define a male or female shape along the side surface34for corresponding to, and nestingly engaging with, a complementary female or male shape of the transmitter18S of the battery band90. In such embodiments, only one magnet32may be included by the main body20for aligning the device12and the transmitter18S. The security system10may include a transmitter18and/or a wireless communication device43that comprises a transceiver or may be configured to communicate with a third-party transmitter18. The battery (or batteries)36and/or pin(s)37may be positioned along the one or more side surfaces34, the first end22, second end24, interior surface26and/or exterior surface28. Further, the battery (or batteries)36and/or pin(s)37may be positioned proximal the magnet(s)32.

The computing module40can be electrically connected to the pins37. As shown schematically inFIG.1Band described above, the computing module40may include one or more processors106and/or memory110for storing and/or analyzing the sensed conditions or the received data, and/or communicating with the one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C, and/or a transmitter18. For example, the accelerometer48may sense conditions, such as accelerations, which may be stored within the memory44and analyzed by software and logic of the processor42to determine if such accelerations indicate a traumatic force or simply a playful gesture. The processor42may also be configured with software to transmit sensed conditions or analytics from the monitoring device12. The monitoring device12may transmit the sensed conditions or analytics through the pins37electrically, or through a wireless transmitter to a wireless receiver or may contain an internal subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module (SIM)69for further processing or storage by a third party or by the security system10using one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C and/or transmitters. The SIM69may also include one or more processors and/or a memory and/or a transmitter. The sensed conditions or analytics may be processed to perform analytics and/or develop metrics and statistics to enable predictive insights.

FIG.18is a flow diagram of analytics process according to one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. In some embodiments, the analytics process can include data processing including, but not limited to identifying and interpolating missing data collected, culling outlier data from the data collected, normalize raw data, and vectorize a data set. Additionally, in some embodiments, the analytics process can provide certain feature constructions such as a time series feature extraction using artificial intelligence such as neural networks like long-short term memory (LSTM) networks to calculate specific features used in the specific monitoring analysis and system. For example, in some embodiments, the analytics process can include extracting boundary features using one or more convolutional neural networks (CNN) architecture. In some embodiments, the analytics process can include using connected component labeling to analyze and assign value to the data collected. Further, in some embodiments, the analytics process can include next location predictions and/or algorithms. The analytics process can include the use of Markov models to predict time-series chains and these chains can be separated. The analytics process can separate LSTM output layer and can use hyperparameter optimization to aid machine learning. The analytics process can use the data and information analyzed and the analytical results to finalize an ensemble prediction of the behavior of the wearer of the monitoring device or of what might happen next.

The security system10may include any number of wireless communication setups to enable wireless transmission between a device12and/or the charger90or some other charging device or system and one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C and/or transmitters18, such as one included in the charging system. The transmissions may be encrypted using any number of cryptographic or other encryption techniques, including but not limited to frequency hopping, time shifting, rotating key encryption and/or other private/public key encryption methods. For example, some encryption methods may only prevent decryption for very short periods of time, but such time may be longer than is needed for the transmissions to be acted upon, and therefore the encryption is effective to prevent an abuser team from reacting to such transmissions in real-time. Some embodiments can include transmission mechanism that employ wireless induction between a transmitter18B external to the device12and a coil39B within the monitoring device12as depicted inFIG.10.

As disclosed in brief above, and as depicted inFIGS.4-9and13-15, the device12may include the main body20and the band50, which can comprise different embodiments. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.4-9, the band50may be coupled to the main body20and extend from the first end22to the second end24for substantially creating a loop. A void59may be defined by the band50and the interior surface26of the main body20for accepting the appendage of a user1therethrough as shown inFIG.1A. In some embodiments, the device12may be worn about a wrist or arm, while in other embodiments the device12may be worn about an ankle or leg. The main body20and the band50may be coupled together using any number of fasteners. In one embodiment, a first bar66A may extend through the band50for coupling to the first end22of the main body20and a second bar66B may extend through the band50for coupling to the second end24of the main body20. The bars66A,66B may be unitarily constructed as part of the ends22,24or may be fastened thereto.

The band50may also house one or more tamper-avoidance cables56embedded therein and extending a length of the band50, from first end22to second end24. The cable56may be a tensile-strength cable and/or fiber optic cable. In some embodiments, the tamper avoidance cable can comprise one or more unitary cables that extend from the first end22of the main body20to the second end24of the main body20as discussed further below. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.4-9, the cable56may be in communication with the computing module40of the main body20and may be in communication with an emitter67for emitting a signal through the cable56. The module40may further be in communication with a detector68for sensing signals that may have been emitted through the cable56. In some embodiments, the emitter67may be periodically pulsed, and the detector68may be periodically sampled. The sampled signal may be compared to a reference signal. When the band50is bent or broken, the amount of signal that may be received by the detector68is attenuated and the sampled signal drops below the reference signal, thus indicating a potential tampering of the device12. The emitter67and/or detector68may be housed within the main body20.

The band50may include a female portion52and a male portion54. The female portion52may have both a width and height greater than a width and height of the male portion54and may further define a cavity52A for accepting the male portion54therein. With such a configuration, the male portion54may be translated within the female portion52for engaging a locking mechanism between the two portions52,54for preventing the male portion54from being disengaged from the female portion52by the user1, without specialized tools. In some embodiments, the male portion54defines a plurality of teeth60and the female portion52includes one or more clasps62for engaging at least one of the plurality of teeth60of the male portion54, as is depicted inFIGS.4,5and6.

According to some embodiments, as depicted inFIGS.5and6, the tamper-avoidance cable56may be coupled with the main body20having a first cable56A and a second cable56B extend to the first or second end22,24. The cable56A can extend through the male portion54, and extend from the male portion54a distance (this final portion of the cable56being the free end57). When translating the male portion54within the female portion52, the free end57of the tamper avoidance cable56A may slide along a groove53defined within the female52, eventually extending from an end of the female portion52proximal the main body20and be aligned with and in communication with the cable56B within female portion52. The free end57may then be clipped so at to extend adjacent or proximal to the main body20.

InFIGS.6and7, two tamper-avoidance cables56are depicted, a first cable56B extending along the female portion52and overlapping with the second cable56A extending along the male portion54. The ends of the first cable56A and the second cable56B can reside in a coupler56C within the portion of the female portion54of the band50where the male portion52of the band50is received. The coupler can facilitate the transfer of a signal between the first and second cables56A and56B. The couple can enclose the ends of the first and second cables56A and56B on the sides to increase the efficiency of the signal transfer. In this manner, the entire male and female portions52,54are covered in length by the tamper-avoidance cables56.FIG.8offers a holistic view of one embodiment of a monitoring device12.

In some embodiments, as seen inFIG.7, a security cable58may also be included within the band50of the device12. The security cable58may extend from the main body20, or from the bar66A, along the entire length of the male portion54and into the female portion52when the male and female portions52,54are joined. The security cable58can have an end51that extends proximate to the the oppose side of the main body. The security cable can be used prevent or discourage the cutting or unauthorized forcible removal of the monitoring device12.

In some embodiments, a metallic strip64may be embedded within the band50along its entire length. For example, as depicted inFIGS.9and11, the strip64may extend through the entire length of band50. In other embodiments, the strip64may extend through the entire length of the male portion54and the female portion52and each of these male and female sections of the strip64may contact each other when the male portion54is translated within the female portion52. Further, the strip64, through the first and second ends22,24of the main body20, may be in electrical communication with the computer module40for detecting any distorting/destructive forces creating electrical interference or damage along the strip64. The contact between the male portion54and the female portion52for the strip64may be two metal contacts that slide in frictional contact against each other as the male portion54is translated within the female portion52, and further are coupled to the strip64. In other embodiments, the strip may include a first strip64A and a second strip64B that connect to each other.

In some embodiments, the strip64is comprised of foil for twist detection, such that the connection between the first strip64A and second strip64B is broken if the band50is twisted beyond a tolerance. For sizing to the particular user1, the band50may be cut to size on each of its ends, coupled to the first connection69A and second connection69B, then these connections69A,69B may be coupled to the first end22and second end24.

The security system10may collect and process data, including sensed conditions and analytics. Location data has become ubiquitous with the advent of modern geo-location technology used in cellphones and navigation systems in vehicles. Through the use of machine learning algorithms, predictable patterns in movement can be developed to understand where a mobile user or vehicle is likely to go next based on their current location and previous location history, such as predicting where a user1(or wearer of the device12) is going and would likely go next based on their previous behavior.

Location data may be collected from the device12, including but limited to: GPS coordinates, router and network information such as subnet, IP, gateway, MAC address, connected devices, WFPS, and Bluetooth beacons. Additional demographic data and contextual data may be compiled through third party sources (such as from public record and third-party data services), or may be manually entered, such as: name, age, criminal record, places of business, restaurants, parks, attractions, neighborhoods and more. These data may be stored in both a relational and time-series structure in order to build a history of behavior for users1.

Relative location calculations may be performed by the security system10for determining when a wearable device12is within a certain distance of a particular victim or third party by also utilizing the victim or third party's locational information. If the monitoring device12is used on a user who is a domestic violence offender, for example, then the user's actually location from a tagged location to which the user is not to travel, such as a victim's residence, can be monitored. If the user/offender gets too close the tagged location, the one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C can notify the victim, law enforcement agencies, and/or other monitoring entities. The device12may also include or be in communication with one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C which sense biofeedback signals, such as pulse temperature, and other biofeedback signals, in order to identify fear, anxiety, stress, pain or pathological conditions such as seizures.

Similarly, if used to track the safety of a child, the same or similar data can be used to determine if the child is further away from a tagged location where the child is supposed to reside. If the child ends up too far from the tagged location, then the one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C can notify the parents and/or other monitoring entities. The device12may also track the child's biofeedback signals, such as pulse temperature, and other biofeedback signals, in order to identify fear, anxiety, stress, pain or pathological conditions.

Referring back toFIG.18, data may be used in both an aggregate structure to understand the behavior of general users1and at an individual level to understand the behavior of a specific user1. Data may be cleaned, missing data will be interpolated, masked, or otherwise statistically accounted for. Outliers, corrupted data, and other interference may be either masked, removed, or statistically moderated. For the general-purpose algorithm, data may be standardized and normalized across users1to account for outliers and variance in the data. Data for individual user1models may have additional user specific pre-processing, based on the variance and statistical distribution of the user's specific data.

After data has been processed, valuable features in the data may be extracted that may be used to predict next location. Machine learning techniques including but not limited to convolutional neural networks and long short-term memory neural networks may be used. A combination of Markov chain time-series methods and a deep neural network approach to predict the next location of users may be used. The Markov chain approach typically excels in environments when data is sparse or limited (e.g., early in commercialization). The deep learning, neural network approach typically excels once data is rich and available (e.g., later in commercialization).

The delivery of the predicted output and the current location of users1in the security system10will be given via an intelligent display dashboard to government officials and law enforcement. They will be able to view forecasted paths of users1, potential intersections that could cause conflicts, and set alerts for intersections and locations, both current and forecasted that would be of interest/issue. One embodiment of the system's data analysis is schematically represented inFIG.18.

As shown inFIG.13-17B, other embodiments of a wearable monitoring device112are provided. The wearable monitoring device112can comprise a main body120defining a first body end122opposite a second body end124. The main body120can have an interior surface126opposite an exterior surface128and both extending between the first body end122and the second body end124. The wearable monitoring device112can also comprise a display130positioned at the exterior surface128. Similarly, the monitoring device can house many of the same features described above with reference toFIGS.1A-12including, but not limited to a computing module140housed within the main body120, wherein the computing module includes a memory110and one or more processors106as well as communication interfaces108, such as wireless communication devices, as described above. Further, the wearable monitoring device112can comprise a band150having a band body152having a first band end152A and a second band end152B. The band150can be configured to extend from the first body end122to the second body end124so that the band150and the main body120define a void159between the interior surface126and the band150. The band150can also comprise a securement cable154within the band body152. The securement cable154can comprise a first cable end154A secured to the first body end122and a second cable end154B having an engagement portion156.

Further, a wearable monitoring device112can comprise a solenoid170within the main body120for engaging the engagement portion of the securement cable154to hold the second body end152B of the band150to the main body120. The solenoid170can be in operable communication with the computing module140to cause the solenoid170to engage the engagement portion156of the securement cable154to hold the second band end152B to the main body120and to disengage the engagement portion156of the securement cable154to release the second band end152B from the main body120. In particular, in some embodiments, the solenoid170can comprise an extendable and retractable plunger172as shown inFIGS.17A,17Bthat can engage the engagement portion156of the securement cable154of the band150. As shown inFIG.14, a smaller version of a wearable monitoring device112C that can be used with children can be provided. The child monitoring device112C can be adjustable with a second band end of the band150having a plurality of locking apertures therein for receiving the plunger172of the solenoid170as shown inFIGS.17A and17Bwithin the main body120C.

In some embodiments, the wearable monitoring device112can further comprise a latching block160as shown inFIGS.15and16within the main body12in which the solenoid170resides. The latching block160can have a solenoid compartment162configured to house the solenoid170. The latching block160can also have a band compartment164for receiving at least a portion of the second band end152B including the engagement portion156of the securement cable154. Additionally, the latching block160can have a plunger passage way166that extends between the solenoid compartment162and the band compartment164. The plunger passage way166allows the plunger172of the solenoid170to extend therethrough to engage the engagement portion156of the securement cable154of the band150to secure the second end152B of the band150to the main body120of the monitoring device112. Conversely, the plunger passage way166allows the plunger172of the solenoid170to retract to disengage the engagement portion156of the securement cable150of the band to release the second end152B of the band150from the main body120of the monitoring device112. The latching block166can include screw holes168for securement of the latching block160into the monitoring device112.

In some embodiments, the latching block160can be positioned in the second body end124of the main body120of the monitoring device as shown inFIG.16. The latching box160can have various orientations within the main body120. The orientation of the latching box160can depend on the planned orientation of the solenoid170and the configurations of the band150, the securement cable154, and the engagement portion156of the securement cable154.

In some embodiments, the engagement portion156of the securement cable154comprises an insert clasp158that can extend outward from the second band end152B. The insert clasp158can have a clasp aperture158A therein. The insert clasp158can be configured for insertion into the band receiving compartment164of the latching block160in the second body end124of the main body120such that the clasp aperture158A is positioned to receive a plunger172of the solenoid170to lock the second band end152B of the band150to the second body end124of the main body120. In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.17A and17B, the engagement portion156of the securement cable154can comprise a plurality of clasp apertures158B to permit the band150to be adjustable about a wrist of a wearer. As discussed above, such an adjustable band may be useful for embodiments of the monitoring device112to be used with children. In some embodiments, he monitoring device12can include a receptacle for receiving the end152B.

In addition to the securement cable154, the monitoring device112can have other mechanisms to help keep the band150in a closed state to hold the monitoring device112to the user or help detect if someone tries to remove the monitoring device112from the user. For example, in some embodiments, the monitoring device112can comprise at least one of a tensile-strength cut detection metal circuit strip180to detect if the band150in which the cut detection strip180is placed is trying to be removed by cutting or slicing the band150of the monitoring device112. For example, the band150can have two cut detection metal circuit strips180on either side of the band150as shown inFIGS.13and16. If one of the cut detection metal circuit strips180is severed, then a signal can be sent to the processor106which can then send a message to one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C of a monitoring entity to notify the monitoring entity that the someone is trying to remove the monitoring device112. In some embodiments, the band150of the monitoring device112can also comprise a fiber optic cable182therein that, if broken or cut, can send a signal to the processor106which can then send a message to one or more remote computing devices14A,14B,14C of a monitoring entity to notify the monitoring entity that the someone is trying to remove the monitoring device112. Similarly, in some embodiments, the band150of the monitoring device112can also include a twist detection metal circuit strip184within the band body152and can extend from the first band end152A to the second band end152B of the band150. As above, the twist detection metal circuit strip184can be a foil for twist detection, such that an electrical connection between can be broken if the band150is twisted beyond a tolerance.

To help monitor what the user is doing or what may be happening to the user, the monitoring device can include a variety of different monitoring and measurement mechanisms. For example, in some embodiments, the monitoring device can comprise an accelerometer housed within the main body and in communication with the one or more processors. In some embodiments, the monitoring device can comprise a microphone housed within the main body and in communication with the one or more processors. Further, in some embodiments, the monitoring device can include a global positioning system (GPS) device housed within the main body and in communication with the one or more processors.

Thus, as provided above, a system for monitoring activity of a person is provided. The system comprises one or more remote computing devices for receiving monitoring information and a wearable monitoring device in wireless communication with the one or more remote computing devices. The monitoring device can be configured to be worn by a user. The monitoring device can comprise a main body defining a first body end opposite a second body end. Additionally, the main body can have an interior surface opposite an exterior surface with both extending between the first end and the second end with a display positioned at the exterior surface of the main body, so that the display is viewable by the wearer/user. The monitoring device can also comprise a computing module housed within the main body. The computing module can comprise a memory and one or more processors. The memory can store instructions that when executed by the one or more processors of the monitoring device cause the system to perform operations. The monitoring device can also comprise an accelerometer housed within the main body and in communication with the one or more processors and a microphone housed within the main body housed within the main body and in communication with the one or more processors. Additionally, the monitoring device can comprise a global positioning system (GPS) device housed within the main body and in communication with the one or more processors. Further, as above, the monitoring device can comprise a band having a band body having a first band end and a second band end. The band can be configured to extend from the first body end to the second body end for defining a void between the interior surface and the band that when placed on a user/wearer is occupied by the user's wrist.

The instructions stored on the memory and executed by the one or more processors of the monitoring device cause the system to perform operations that can include determining a location of the monitoring device on a wrist of a wearer using the GPS device and reporting the location of the monitoring device being worn by a wearer to one or more remote computing devices to provide notification of the location of the wearer. Additionally, in some embodiments, the operations can include identifying a tagged location and determining the distance between the wearer of the monitoring device and the tagged location based on the location of the monitoring device. The one or more processors can then report the distance between the user/wearer of the monitoring device and the tagged location to the one or more remote computing devices. Additionally, the operations can include reporting to a notification computing device if the wearer of the monitoring device is too close or too far from the tagged location based on the reported distance between the wearer of the monitoring device and the tagged location. In some embodiments where the monitoring device further comprises at least one of a tensile-strength cut detection metal circuit strip, a fiber optic cable or a twist detection metal circuit strip within the band body that can extend from the first band end to the second band end of the band and are in communication with the one or more processors, a number of additional operations are available. For example, in some embodiments, the operations of the system can include determining if the twist detection metal circuit strip has been deformed and reporting a deformation in the twist detection metal circuit strip to the one or more remote computing devices. In some embodiments, the operations of the system can further comprise determining if the fiber optic cable has been broken and reporting a break of the fiber optic cable to the one or more remote computing devices. Additionally, the operations of the system can further comprise determining if the tensile-strength cut detection metal circuit strip has been cut and reporting a cut of the tensile-strength cut detection metal circuit strip to the one or more remote computing devices.

Similarly, the present disclosure provides a method for monitoring activity of a person. The method can comprise placing a monitoring device as described in detail above on a wrist of a wearer. The monitoring device can be in wireless communication with one or more remote computing devices. The method can comprise determining a location of the monitoring device on a wrist of a wearer using the GPS device and reporting the location of the monitoring device being worn by a wearer to one or more remote computing devices to provide notification of the location of the wearer. Additionally, the method of monitoring can comprise identifying a tagged location and determining the distance between the wearer of the monitoring device and the tagged location based on the location of the monitoring device. Once the distance between the wearer of the monitoring device and the tagged location is determined, the monitoring device can report the distance between the wearer of the monitoring device and the tagged location to the one or more remote computing devices. Depending on how the monitoring system is intended to be used, if the distance is too close or too far from the tagged location based on the reported distance between the wearer of the monitoring device and the tagged location, then the remote computing device(s) can report to a notification computing device such as a law enforcement agency or a computing device owned by a parent or victim as a warning system.

Particular embodiments and features have been described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that these descriptions are not limited to any single embodiment or any particular set of features, and that similar embodiments and features may arise or modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope of these descriptions and the spirit of the appended claims.