Patent Publication Number: US-6992582-B2

Title: System and method for tracking movement of individuals

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/964,879, filed Sep. 28, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a device for passively tracking individuals. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a device for recording the movement of individuals using GPS signals for later comparison with event data to determine if the individual was in the vicinity of the event within a given time frame. 
     2. Discussion of Background Information 
     Devices and methods for monitoring the movements of individuals are known. One example is a two-piece tracking unit that includes a tag attached to a limb of a wearer (e.g., on the wrist) tethered to a large suitcase or body-worn unit that carries batteries and associated circuitry. This device is an “active” system in that it compares its position with certain ongoing restrictions to detect violations (e.g., a parolee enters a restricted area, such as a bar). The requirements of this type of active system dictate the large size and weight of this system. The associated manufacturing and operating costs have limited the commercial viability of these devices, such that it is believed that less than 1500 units are in actual use in the United States. 
     Smaller one-piece wearable units have been suggested, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,103 to Taylor and PCT/US00/16092 to Layson. Both disclose a self-contained device that can be worn around an individual&#39;s limb. The devices include standard GPS receiving circuitry, a memory, a power source, and some methodology to download the contents of the memory to a remote station for comparison with other data, typically crime data. 
     A drawback of the Taylor device is that it fails to account for the power supply and management system necessary to make these devices commercially viable. Specifically, the power requirements of the Taylor device would only allow for short-term use based on available battery technology. Layson addresses this problem with various battery recharging schemes such as solar cells and high-speed inductive transfer. However, these procedures are not believed to be commercially viable. It is believed that efforts to solve these problems have focused on improved batteries and lower power consumption methodologies that would provide extensive use (on the order of thirty days) between recharges. To date, this approach has not proved successful. 
     A need therefore exists for a relatively small wearable tracking unit and associated methodology with a high commercial viability. 
     The above noted prior art devices produce location data that reflect a user&#39;s location over time. This location data can be compared with incident data, such as crime data, to determine whether the user was in the area at the time of the incident. The noted Layson application contemplates that a database of several crime incidents can be compared with a database of movement of multiple users to identify instances of overlap. However, this type of comparison of raw databases would tax current computer limitations and be slow to produce results. Swifter analysis is preferable in these matters (if for no other reason than to minimize opportunity for criminal flight). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a device capable of monitoring the movement of a person. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a device for monitoring movement of an object is provided. A first module is configured to secure to the object. A second module, capable of electrically connecting to the first module, includes at least a rechargeable battery and a memory capable of storing a history of movement data. A third module, capable of electrically connecting with the second module, includes a data modem capable of connecting to a remote station, and a battery charger. When the second module is connected to the first module, the memory periodically records available location data representing a position of the device at the time of recording. When the second module is connected to the third module, the memory downloads through the data modem and the battery charger charges the battery. 
     Various options and features are preferably present in conjunction with the above embodiment. A band is capable of securing the first module to the object, the band being an electrically conductive plastic. The first module includes a coordinate receiver, and the battery powers the receiver when the first module is electrically connected to the second module. A fourth module is interchangeable with the second module. An initialization module capable of initializing the memory may be provided. The first and second modules, when connected, have a size and shape for easy support around the limb of a user. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, a system for monitoring movement of an object is provided. A first module is configured to secure to the object, and includes a coordinate receiver and an antenna. A plurality of second modules are each capable of electrically connecting to the first module, and each include at least a rechargeable battery and a memory capable of storing a history of movement data from the coordinate receiver. A third module, capable of electrically connecting with at least one of the second modules, includes a data modem capable of connecting to a remote station, and a battery charger. 
     Various options and features are preferably present in conjunction with the above embodiment. By way of non-limiting example, when one of the second modules is connected to the first module, the memory periodically records available location data representing a position of the device at the time of recording, and when the one of the second modules is removed from the first module and connected to the third module, the memory downloads through the data modem and the battery charger charges the battery. Tamper detection circuitry in the first module is capable of logging a tamper event in the memory in response to attempted removal of the first module from the object. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a method for recording movement of an object, wherein a first module is attached to the object in a tamper resistant manner is provided. The method includes electrically connecting a second module to the first module, the second module including at least a memory and a battery, obtaining data representing a position of the first module at a particular time, storing the data on the memory in the second module, repeating the obtaining and storing for a period of time, after the period of time, disconnecting the second module from the first module and connecting the second module to a third module, the third module including at least a data modem and a battery charger, downloading the contents of the memory in the second module to a remote location through the data modem, and recharging the battery in the second module via the battery charger in the third module. 
     Various options and features are preferably present in conjunction with the above embodiment. By way of non-limiting example, at least one fourth module includes at least a memory and a battery. This embodiment preferably includes connecting the fourth module to the third module substantially when the second module is connected to the first module, and connecting the fourth module to the second module substantially when the second module is connected to the third module. The embodiment preferably includes storing tamper data in the memory in response to an attempt to remove the first module from the object. 
     According to still yet another embodiment of the invention, a method for recording movement of an object is provided. A first module is attached to the object in a tamper resistant manner, a plurality of second modules each include at least a memory and a battery, and a third module is configured to simultaneously connect with at least some of the plurality of second modules. The method of the embodiment includes connecting one of the plurality of second modules to the first module, connecting at least some of the plurality of second modules to the third module, obtaining, at the first module, data representing a position of the first module at a particular time, storing the data on the memory in the one of the plurality of second modules, repeating the obtaining and storing for a period of time, after the period of time, substituting the one of the plurality of second modules with one of the at least some of the plurality of second modules, such that the obtaining, storing, and repeating will continue with the one of the at least some of the plurality of second modules, connecting the one of the plurality of second modules to the third module, downloading the contents of the memory in the one of the plurality of second modules to a remote location through the data modem, and recharging the battery in the one of the plurality of second modules via the battery charger in the third module. 
     Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of certain embodiments of the present invention, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the user wearable modules of the invention according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the components of the wearable modules of the invention; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are exploded views of the wearable modules of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the removable module and stationary transmitter module; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a the removable modules and stationary transmitter module; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of the removable module and initialization module; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a the removable modules and initialization module; and 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  show an area broken into zones relative to an area of interest about a crime. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT 
     The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice. 
       FIG. 1  shows a system  100  for monitoring the movement of a person. System  100  includes a user worn device  102  and a stationary transmitter  104 . User worn device preferably fits around a user&#39;s extremity, and particularly about the wrist. 
       FIG. 2  shows user worn device  102  configured for attachment about the wrist. User worn device  102  includes a circuit portion  202  and a band  204 . Band  204  is preferably made from a material that can form a closed circuit about the wrist, such as electrically conductive plastic, or cloth or leather with conductive material woven therein. As discussed below, the system will detect any tampering with band  204  (e.g., cutting). 
     Circuit portion  202  includes a fixed module  210  and a removable module  220 . Fixed module  210  is attached to band  204 , and thus not removable from the user absent tampering. Both fixed module  210  and removable module  220  are preferably configured with mating surfaces to allow for insertion, retention and removal of removable module  220  from fixed module  210 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of fixed module  210  in combination with removable module  220 . Fixed module  210  preferably includes an antenna  212 , a GPS receiver  214  (preferably the Trimble-Lasson low power Global Positioning System receiver), tamper detection circuitry  216 , a microcontroller  217 , and an interface  218 . Removable module  220  preferably includes a rechargeable battery  222 , a memory  224  capable of storing movement data, and an interface  226 . The exact position orientation of these circuit elements and the interconnections therein are not limited to those shown, and may be configured as convenient by those of skill in the art. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate a preferred embodiment of circuit portion  202  and band  204 . Fixed module  210  preferably has a curved radius on all sides adjacent to and away from the body to conform to the shape of an arm or wrist. Band  204  is made of male and female conductive flexible thermoplastic straps, which attach to a base of fixed module  210  that supports removable module  220 . The male/female connections are preferably the same as that used in cable ties that are not removable absent damage to band  204 , although other methods may be used. 
     At least one heat stake stud projects from the ends of band  204  to attach band  204  to the base area of fixed module  210  that receives removable module  220 . This area is preferably made from flame retardant ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) shaped into a three-sided platform. A latch fits over the side of an inserted removable module  220  battery to secure it in the appropriate position. Wire bonded to ends of band  204  with conductive epoxy, bridges the ends of band  204  to tamper detection circuitry  216 , forming a tamperproof loop. If the circuit is broken or interrupted, tamper detection circuitry  216  issues alarm data to memory  224 . Tamper detection circuitry  216  can also monitor the “health” of GPS receiver  214  and antenna  212  to detect any tampering and issue appropriate alarm data to memory  224 . 
     A microcontroller board cover  230  molded from flame retardant ABS is mounted on one side of fixed module  210 . Attached to the underside of this cover is a circuit board that supports microcontroller  217 , tamper detection circuit  216 , and antenna  212 . A small capacitor can optionally be implanted on the microcontroller circuit board to power memory  224  in the event battery  222  fails. Microcontroller board cover  230  has six phosphor bronze contacts that mate with removable module  220 . 
     On the opposite side of fixed module  210  is a GPS board cover  240  made of flame retardant ABS. GPS receiver  214  is attached to the underside of GPS board cover  240 . GPS board cover  240  attaches by ultrasonic bonding of the plastic material, thus making it waterproof and tamper resistant. 
     Removable module  220  attaches/connects to the center face of the fixed module  210 . Rechargeable battery  222  is preferably a 3.7 volt lithium-ion prismatic rechargeable battery encased between flame retardant ABS top and bottom covers, and preferably powers the modules for 32 hours when fully charged. 
       FIG. 6  shows a block diagram of stationary transmitter  104 . Transmitter  104  includes a data modem  302 , a battery charger  304 , and an interface  306 . Transmitter  104  receives power from an external power supply  308 , preferably a standard wall outlet with an appropriate AC/DC level converter. Data modem  302  is preferably either a wireless or landline modem capable of transmitting data over an existing phone line to a remote location. 
       FIG. 7  shows a preferred embodiment of stationary transmitter  104 . In this embodiment, there are three removable modules  220 , two of which are mounted in stationary module  104 , and a third is used with fixed module  210  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). Data modem  302  is a landline modem (shown by the standard telephone jacks). The noted interfaces are simply electrical contacts with associated circuit paths to connect the desired electronic elements. Power supply  308  is a 6-volt DC modular power supply running from an adapter connected to a standard wall outlet. Power supply  308  powers two battery charger circuit boards, each of which connect to two of twelve data/power interface clips of interface  306 . Stationary module  104  also includes a download unit circuit board, which may include an appropriate microcontroller that controls the data downloading process. 
     In practice, the user will take one of the freshly charged removable modules  220  to replace the in-use removable module  220  when appropriate. Rotation of the modules is preferred, but not required. 
     Interfaces  218 ,  226 , and  306  may be of any preferred design, including separate electronic circuits or simply mating metal contacts or leads. 
     In operation, the user inserts removable module  220  into fixed module  210  such that interface  218  connects with interface  226 . Battery  222  supplies power to GPS receiver  214 , which will begin to receive location data from the GPS coordinate satellite system. Fixed module  210  preferably also has circuitry to complete a circuit path between receiver  214  and memory  224 , such that memory  224  will periodically record GPS data from receiver  214  as movement data. The GPS data may be the “raw” data from the GPS satellite network, or may be coordinate data derived by GPS receiver  214  from the raw data. The sampling rate is preferably at least once per minute, but other sampling rates may be used. Memory  224  will thus log the movement of fixed module  210  over time. 
     If the monitored object/user enters certain buildings, underground garages or other areas that GPS receiver  214  cannot receive signals from the GPS network, then either microcontroller  217  or GPS receiver  214  can generate a time stamp from an internal clock to store in memory  224 , such that the movement data would only be the timestamp during these periods. 
     After some period of time (which is preferably predetermined, and particularly approximately 24 hours of use), the user removes the “original” removable module  220  and replaces it with an identical “spare” removable module  220  with a preferably freshly charged battery  222  and clear memory  224 . A contributing factor to this time period is the battery life of battery  222 , which is preferably at least 24–36 hours when fully charged, and particularly 32 hours. 
     The user inserts the original removable module into the transmitter  104  to connect interface  226  and  306 . Both removable module  220  and transmitter  104  are preferably configured with mating surfaces to allow for insertion, retention, and removal of removable module  220 . When connected, battery charger  304  recharges battery  222 . Data modem  302  responds to the presence of memory  224  by attempting to connect to a remote location (not shown). When the telephone connection is established, memory  224  downloads the stored location history through data modem  302 . This may occur automatically, upon receipt of a request signal from the remote location, or by another triggering methodology. After successful download, memory  224  clears. Again, this may be done automatically, upon receipt of an appropriate signal from the remote location, or by another methodology. 
     When the user inserts removable module  220  into transmitter  104 , the external power supply  308  preferably powers data modem  302  and memory  224 . Since the external power source  308  preferably powers the download of memory  224  rather than battery  222 , battery  222  has a longer useful charge for recording location data when the removable module  210  is inserted into the fixed module  220 . 
     By continually rotating between two or more removable modules  220 , the above embodiment can continuously record a user&#39;s location except for the few moments that it takes to switch between modules. The user is also not tethered to the transmitter  104 , and can thus move about freely during data download. 
       FIG. 8  shows a device for initializing removable modules  220 . Similar to the stationary transmitter  104 , an initialization module  800  includes a section for receiving one or more removable modules  220  (two are shown in  FIG. 8 ), an interface  802  for providing power and data paths to the removable modules  220 , and a power supply  804 . In place of data modem  302  of the stationary transmitter  104 , initialization module  800  expands upon interface  802  to provide connection to an external computer. 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of initialization module  800 . Interface  802  preferably includes a DB-9 serial PC interface connector that connects to a personal computer. The DB-9 connector is wired to an initialization circuit board. Software in the Parole Officer&#39;s PC allows programming of initialization data into memory  224  of each removable module  220 , including the time from the PC clock, to initialize the counter in memory  224  to start the data collection. The initialization unit circuit board processes this initialization data (date/time and identification codes) and passes it to the memory  224  before removable module  220  is fitted onto the wearer&#39;s wrist-worn device at time of initial fitting. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the system only allows for a “downstream” data path. Specifically, GPS receiver receives GPS signals, memory receives data, and the remote location receives the history of data. Preferably, signals or information do not travel in the reverse upstream path, such that none of the components for the system operate in response to a received interrogation or signal. By way of non-limiting example, the user worn device turns ON by inserting removable module  220 , which supplies power to the internal components. No other signals or commands need be received from an external source or the remote location. This configuration minimizes power consumption via a simpler design. However, other embodiments of the invention could allow for a two-way data path. Control signals may also travel upstream as necessary, such as to prompt download of data from memory  224 . 
     The use of an external power supply  308  by stationary unit  104  allows it to include various optional features. For example stationary unit  104  may include a display or other communication methodology for the remote location to communicate with the user. For example, the remote location could forward a message for display instructing the user to call into the remote location. As shown in  FIG. 7 , an optional telephone jack to connect with a standard telephone may also be provided. 
     Stationary unit  104  is preferably only stationary to the extent that it is not tethered to the user. Stationary unit  104  can be portable if desired, and set up at any convenient location. In the alternative, stationary unit  104  can be “fixed” by requiring that the user download at a certain time and from a certain phone number, thereby assuring that the user will be at a desired location at a desired time. 
     The structural elements and functions described herein may be separate or combined components. For example, microcontroller  217  may include tamper resistant circuitry  216 . The noted interface may be a single element that connects to the removable module  210  and outside components (e.g., a PC). 
     The present invention can be applied in the parole system, in which the users would be parolees. The remote location would be a station that receives crime incident data from local or national jurisdictions and compares it with movement of the parolees; this is preferably done through a database comparison, although other methodologies could be used. Any overlap suggests that the parolee may be a suspect in the crime, or a potential witness. The station could also determine whether a parolee entered a restricted area (e.g., a parolee for drunken driving may not be allowed to enter a bar or liquor store). 
     Smaller applications of the device, such as home use to monitor movements of children, are also within the scope and spirit of the invention. The tracking data could be used, for example, to confirm that the child was in school during school hours. In an alternative embodiment for home use, the remote location could be a home computer, and the stationary unit  104  could be directly connected to, or part of, the home computer (e.g., an I/O port). 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention is a “passive” system, in that the data can be used at a later date for comparison with incident data. Its power requirements and controlling circuitry are thus much smaller than an “active” system. However, as technology evolves, the present invention may be used in an active environment. Nothing herein should be interpreted as a waiver of coverage to such active systems. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the data collected from all of the users will be compared with incident data, such as crime data, to determine if any user was in the vicinity of a crime during the time frame, or specific time, of a crime. This preferably occurs automatically, as all crime data is compared with all movement data to determine any overlap therebetween, or “hits.” The methodology for doing so would be done using known computer hardware, software, and databases configured and/or programmed to operate as disclosed herein. 
     In small-scale operations, a comparison of all movement data with all user location data may be too slow to provide speedy results. Searching all of the movement data to identify movement data that is more relevant to the incident can reduce this procedure. 
     The first such search is preferably based on a time frame of the incident. A particular incident preferably has a time frame associated with it (e.g., crime is often determined to have occurred within a window of a few hours). The total location data needed for comparison with the incident data can be reduced by searching for movement data within this time frame. In a 24 hour reporting system and a 3-hour time frame for a crime, this would reduce the amount of data for comparison with incident data by 87.5%. A 10-minute time frame would reduce the amount of data by over 99%. In addition, while it is not expected that crime data would be based on an exact time rather than a time frame, the present invention could operate on such an exact time basis. 
     The identification of relevant data can also be limited geographically. An area of interest would be previously broken down into zones. Individual zones may be of any shape, and may overlap into other zones. For example, the zones could be quite large for low populated areas, or relatively small for populated areas with high crime rates. Preferably, a grid is defined over a geographic area such that each square on the grid represents a ten square mile zone. 
     Movement data of the users can be associated with these zones. This association can be done at the circuit portion  202 , at the remote location when data is received, or only to a smaller subset of movement data that has been identified as relevant (e.g., the subset of movement data from the time frame search noted above). 
     The crime data is also associated with these zones. For a particular incident, a boundary of the crime, or a “crime scene” is established as part of the crime data. This can be an irregular border, an area encompassed by a certain radius around the crime, or any other methodology to define an area of interest. For each area, the zones that overlap the area are identified as relevant. For example,  FIGS. 10 and 11  show zones A–I with a crime area shown as a circle. In  FIG. 10 , the area of interest falls completely within Zone A, such that only movement data in zone A is relevant. In  FIG. 11 , the area of interest overlaps into all of zones A–D, such that only these zones would be relevant. The system searches the movement data (either all the data or the subset from one or more previous searches) for movement data within these zones. 
     The above searches will produce a subset of movement data that is significantly smaller than the total pool of movement data. This subset is then compared with the crime data to determine overlap with an area and time frame of interest (which may or may not be the same as the time frame and area used in the previous searches). 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the zones are associated with the movement data when received at the central location. The central location also has a database of crime incidents over a period of time each having an associated time frame, area of interest, and relevant zones. For each incident the relevant program will search the total pool of movement data consistent with a time field to produce a first subset pool of movement data. This first subset will then be searched by relevant zones to produce a second, preferably smaller, subset pool of movement data. This second subset pool is then compared with the incident to determine whether any users were in proximity to the incident within the time frame of the incident. 
     However, the invention is not so limited. Changes to the order of the searches, the point at which the zones are assigned, and other steps in the methodology can be adjusted as desired. Additional searches using different criteria could also be used to further narrow the subset pool of movement data for comparison with incident data. 
     As noted above, there may be circumstances in which GPS receiver  214  is not receiving or recording GPS data (e.g., tampering, the user entering a shielded area, etc.), such that memory  224  is only recording internally generated timestamps. In the absence of location data, the various sorting methods noted above may not identify an otherwise relevant overlap in the “hit” report. To compensate, the system can generate a secondary report to identify those individuals that are unaccounted for during the time frame of interest. Further manual or automatic searches/investigation could be used to determine the location and time at the “disappear” and “reappear” points in relative proximity to events of interest. 
     It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. 
     By way of non-limiting example, the nature of many components of the fixed and removable modules are not fixed to those modules. Preferably, removable module  220  includes at least battery  222  and memory  224  and fixed module  210  includes tamper detection circuitry  216 . The placement of the remaining elements in the preferred embodiments are consistent with minimizing production costs and the duplication of parts. However, elements such as GPS receiver  214 , antenna  216 , etc., could be placed in removable module  220 . The variety of available distributions of such elements fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. Similarly, the configuration and location of the various circuit elements within fixed module  210  and removable module  220  are not limited to those disclosed herein. 
     The nature of the physical circuit elements can also be changed within the skill of the art. For example, microcontroller  214  could be a microprocessor, or eliminated completely if the control functions could be incorporated into other elements. Antenna  212  may be omitted or incorporated into GPS receiver  214  as technology evolves. GPS receiver  214  may work off of GPS, DGPS, dead reckoning, or other methodology (and may thus be thought of generically as a coordinate receiver).