Patent Publication Number: US-2009237256-A1

Title: System for locating an Alzheimer&#39;s patient

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates, in general, to various types of locating devices and, more particularly, the invention relates to a system for locating a patient who suffers from Alzheimer&#39;s disease wherein a person responsible for their care uses a handheld locating device to track a locatable device worn by the patient. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For elderly people suffering from Alzheimer&#39;s disease living at home under the care of loved ones, any small task can become overwhelming and confusing. It is not uncommon that soon after leaving their home they can become lost and disoriented, completely losing their way even in their own neighborhood. It may be quite some time before they are reported missing, which can be a life-threatening situation, especially when they are unable to relay their personal information to someone for assistance in returning home. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a wireless system for locating a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer&#39;s disease by an individual responsible for such patient. The system includes a locatable device worn by such patient having an enclosure formed from a first predetermined material. The enclosure has each of a predetermined shape and size with a top face, a rear face and a periphery formed therebetween defining an interior space. The locatable device further has a means engageable with the enclosure for securing it about the patient. A first control circuit with transmitting and receiving capability is connected to a GPS processor having at least one pre-selected map disposed therein. The first control circuit and GPS processor are disposed in the enclosure. The GPS processor is in wireless communication with a GPS system. A first power source is connected to the first control circuit for supplying power thereto. The system further includes a handheld device formed from a second predetermined material and having each of a predetermined shape and size. The handheld device includes a housing having a top face, a rear face and a periphery formed therebetween defining an interior space. A second control circuit with transmitting and receiving capability is disposed in the housing for communicating with the first control circuit. The second control circuit is connected to each of a keypad for entering a predetermined code to initiate a tracking request signal to the locatable device and a means for displaying a location of such locatable device. The keypad and display means are disposed on the front face of the housing. Finally, a second power source is connected to the second control circuit for supplying power thereto. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a system for locating an Alzheimer&#39;s patient, living at home, who becomes missing by someone responsible for their care. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for locating an Alzheimer&#39;s patient wherein a tracking request signal is initiated by a concerned caregiver of the patient to determine a precise geographic location of the patient. 
     In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be understood that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in cojunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of a locatable device in the form of a bracelet worn by an Alzheimer&#39;s patient used in the system of the present invention, particularly showing components disposed in the bracelet; 
         FIG. 1B  is a front perspective view of the locatable device illustrated in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  is a rear perspective view of the locatable device, illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , particularly showing a removable battery cover; 
         FIG. 2A  is a front view of a handheld location device used in the system of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the handheld location device illustrated in  FIG. 2A , particularly showing various alternative embodiments the handheld device may incorporate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures. 
     Reference is now made, more particularly, to drawing  FIGS. 1-2 . Illustrated therein is a wireless system for locating a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer&#39;s disease by an individual responsible for such patient. The system includes a locatable device, generally designated  10 , worn by such patient having an enclosure  12  formed from a first predetermined material. Enclosure  12  has each of a predetermined shape and size with a front face  14 , a rear face  16  and a periphery  18  formed therebetween defining an interior space. Locatable device  10  also has a means, generally designated  20 , engageable with enclosure  12  for securing it about the patient. 
     Locatable device  10  may be in the form of a necklace or, preferably, a bracelet  22 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Preferably, the shape of enclosure  12  of bracelet  22  will be substantially arcuate to conform to a wrist of such patient. Also, means  20  engageable with enclosure  12  for securing it about the patient is preferably either a band or a chain  24 , shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Locatable device  10  further includes a first control circuit  26  having transmitting and receiving capability connected to a GPS processor  28  having at least one pre-selected map disposed therein. First control circuit  26  and GPS processor  28  are disposed in enclosure  12  with GPS processor  28  being in wireless communication with a GPS system. 
     Locatable device  10  still further includes a first power source, generally designated  30 , connected to first control circuit  26  for supplying power thereto. Preferably, first power source  30  is a battery. The most presently preferred type of battery used will be a lithium battery  32 . Also, enclosure  12  preferably includes a removable battery cover  34  disposed on rear face  16  of enclosure  12  for changing the battery when necessary. 
     In a presently preferred embodiment, enclosure  12  will further include a solar panel  36  and a solar charge cell  38  connected to the battery for maintaining a charge thereon. 
     In another preferred embodiment, enclosure  12  will further include a medical alert emblem  42  disposed on front face  14  thereof. Enclosure  12  also preferably will include an integrated strobe light  44  which illuminates medical alert emblem  42  when a tracking request signal is sent to locatable device  10  to assist in locating the patient in dark conditions. 
     Enclosure  12  may further include indicia  46  disposed thereon in the form of personal information including at least one of such patient&#39;s initials, name and address. 
     The system of the present invention further includes a handheld device, generally designated  50 , formed from a second predetermined material and having each of a predetermined shape and size. Handheld device  50  includes a housing  48  having a front face  52 , a rear face  54  and a periphery  56  formed therebetween defining an interior space. 
     Handheld device  50  has a second control circuit including transmitting and receiving capability disposed in housing  48  for communicating with first control circuit  26 . The second control circuit is connected to each of a keypad  58  for entering a predetermined code to initiate a tracking request signal to locatable device  10  and a means, generally designated  60 , for displaying a location of locatable device  10 . Keypad  58  and display means  60  are disposed on front face  52  of housing  48 . 
     Keypad  58  preferably includes keys having indicia  62  thereon in the form of at least one of numerals and letters for entering the predetermined code. Also, keypad  58  preferably further includes a locate key  64  which is pushed after the predetermined code is entered using the keys having at least one of numerals and letters indicia  62  thereon for initiating sending of the tracking request signal communicating the predetermined code to locatable device  10 . 
     In a presently preferred embodiment, display means  60 , includes an LCD screen  66 . In addition, handheld device  50  may include a pushbutton zoom feature  68  disposed on front face  52  of the housing  48  for zooming in and out picture of location of locatable device  10  displayed on screen  66 , and a dial contrast feature  72  disposed on periphery  56  of housing  48  for adjusting brightness of picture of location of said locatable device displayed on said screen. Handheld device  50  may still further include a UBS port  74  disposed on periphery  56  of housing  48  for connecting to a peripheral port of another device. 
     Handheld device  50  further has a second power source, generally designated  70 , connected to the second control circuit for supplying power thereto. Preferably, second power source  70  is a battery. The most presently preferred type of battery used will be a rechargeable battery. 
     Also, it is presently preferred that handheld device  50  further include a dc power port  76  disposed on periphery  56  for connecting a charger to the rechargeable battery. 
     While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.