Abstract:
A personal monitoring system and method is provided which includes a monitoring device including a positioning sensor for identifying and storing position data of the monitoring device and a transceiver. A remote computing unit for receiving proximity signals and position data received from the monitoring device at a predetermined interval. The remote computing unit also receives position data from the monitoring device. A central computer for location data collection receives proximity signals and position data from the remote computing unit at a predetermined interval.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application 61/704,015 filed Sep. 21, 2012, titled “SYSTEM FOR MONITORING, TRACKING AND RECORDING OF PERSONAL LOCATION.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to systems which provide location tracking, monitoring, and recording of a portable device that is affixed to an individual or other object, and which the device periodically communicates to a remote monitoring station. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tracking device which is capable of recording fixed location data through RF communications with a remote unit (e.g., a base station at the participant&#39;s home or at a courthouse), and which is also capable of recording the real time location of an individual or objects through GPS or similar location tracking services and stores the information for subsequent transfer to a centralized monitoring station when the portable device is in communication with a remote unit. 
         [0003]    A common use of such tracking devices is to monitor the location and behavior or criminal offenders during probation. For ease of understanding, the term “participant” will be used throughout this application to refer to an individual whose location is being monitored through the use of a portable device. The person or agency that is tasked with monitoring the participant will be referred to as the “monitoring agent” or “monitoring agency.” In the case of probation monitoring, the monitoring agent is a law enforcement officer. In still other possible applications of such portable tracking devices, the monitoring agent may be an employer, while the participant is a lone worker whose driving patterns are being monitored. 
         [0004]    Electronic location monitoring and tracking of individuals or objects can be carried out in a number of ways. Location determination of the portable device can be provided using well-known techniques, such as global positioning system (GPS), GLOSNASS, or Galileo satellite systems, terrestrial location based services, such as cellular triangulation, Long Range Navigation (LORAN), or a combination of these systems. Further, in certain system applications, the device makes use of a tamper-resistant strap or similar fastening device to prevent the participant from removing the portable device or altering the function of the portable device without detection. 
         [0005]    There are variants of electronic location monitoring and tracking systems for the tracking of monitored individuals, also referred to as participants. These systems fall generally into two categories, fixed location monitoring which only monitors the presence or absence of a participant at a fixed location, and real-time location monitoring systems where the participant wears a GPS enabled device and the location of the participant is reported on a periodic basis to the central monitoring station via cellular connection or a land line. The present invention accomplishes both fixed location monitoring and real-time location monitoring. 
         [0006]    Systems which rely upon electronic monitoring at a fixed location such as the individual&#39;s home or place of employment can rely upon a land line telephone or cellular telephone link and are commonly known as house arrest systems. These systems utilize a transmitter, typically radio frequency (RF), worn by the individual and a stationary receiver located at the monitoring location. Existing RF transmitters used in offender monitoring do not collect position data, such as GPS location data points. 
         [0007]    The worn transmitter transmits a signal a short distance to the receiver located at the monitoring location. The receiver communicates with a central monitoring service (CMS) over standard telephone lines or cellular network. Typically, the central monitoring service is provided by a private contractor who monitors a participant&#39;s behavior from a centralized location. In other applications, the CMS may be run by a government agency, employer, or other authority. The CMS can then notify the monitoring agent in the case that the participant appears to have violated the rules of their monitoring program. Similarly, the transmitter may incorporate tamper-detection capabilities, transmitting an alarm to the wearer and to the central monitoring service upon detection of tampering. 
         [0008]    The monitoring system of this type is limited in that it can only provide an indication of the presence or absence of the individual at the monitored location at a given time. This type of system cannot offer location information if the individual leaves the monitored location. 
         [0009]    Real-time location tracking is typically accomplished using either a one-piece unit which contains a GPS tracking module and a cellular communications module attached to the ankle of the participant, or a two piece unit in which the GPS and cellular modules are housed in a removable device linked to an ankle attached device via a coded RF link. These devices typically transmit the participant location in real-time or near real-time to the central monitoring station via a cellular connection. The cellular transmission can upload on a schedule, at selected time intervals, or near constant upload. Exclusion zones stored on the device (on-board-zones) or stored at the CMS can cause a decrease or increase in the frequency of the transmission of location information. In addition, one or more stationary units can be combined with these devices to allow for the monitoring at a particular location via RF transmission between the device worn by the participant and the stationary unit. Sometimes a stationary unit with docking/charging functions is provided for connection with and recharging of the removable portion of a two piece device. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention includes a portable unit which is worn by a participant which includes a positioning module for collection of real-time location data. The present invention also includes a stationary unit (also called a remote unit) maintained, for example, in a dwelling or work place, which is connected for communication with the central monitoring station. The portable unit stores the real time location and time information received from a positioning system to track the location of the device when it is not in proximity to the stationary unit, such as when a participant is out of the home. When the portable unit comes in proximity to the stationary unit, a wired or wireless link (such as RF or blue tooth) uploads the out-of-home information which can then be transmitted to the central monitoring station to provide a record of the participant&#39;s activity. When in proximity of the stationary unit, the unit converts to a standard house arrest unit and no longer collects position data. Once the unit departs from the stationary unit position data collection is resumed. 
         [0011]    The present invention is an improvement over the prior art in that the unit stores information while away from the unit, thus saving costs in data transmission. Likewise, because the unit is not constantly broadcasting information while away from home, the unit offers extended battery life of several days—an improvement over current devices that require much more frequent charging. Another advantage of this invention is that because it is not constantly reporting information in real time, the monitoring agency is relieved from the burden of constantly monitoring the participant&#39;s behavior. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of the monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The monitoring system includes a monitoring device  10  and a home curfew unit (HCU)  70 . The monitoring device includes a housing  11 , a processor  15 , a radio frequency (RF) transceiver  20 , a positioning sensor  25 , a memory unit  30 , a tamper circuit  45 , a battery  50 , a charging circuit  55 , and a data/charging port  60 . The HCU  70  often includes a data/charging cable  75 . In other embodiments, the HCU  70  communicates with the monitoring device  10  wirelessly. The HCU  70  may also be referred to as a remote computing unit. The location of the structures shown in  FIG. 1  is illustrative only; other arrangements of the structures are possible and contemplated by this invention. 
         [0015]    The housing  11  contains the processor  15 , the transceiver  20 , the positioning sensor  25 , the memory unit  30 , the tamper circuit  45 , the battery  50 , the charging circuit  55 , and the data/charging port  60 . The processor  15  is in data connection with the transceiver  20 , the positioning sensor  25 , the memory unit  30 , the tamper circuit  45 , and the data/charging port  60 . The battery is in electrical connection with the processor  15 , the transceiver  20 , the positioning sensor  25 , the tamper circuit  45  and the charging circuit  55 . The charging circuit is in electrical connection with the data/charging port  60 . 
         [0016]    In operation the data/charging port  60  is connected to a power source during charging. The data/charging port supplies electricity to the charging circuit  55  which, depending on the power source, rectifies and regulates alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) and supplies electricity to the battery  50 , or simply regulates the DC and supplies the electricity to the battery  50 . The charging circuit  55  regulates the power supplied to the battery  50  to maximize the charge and battery life expectancy. The battery  50  supplies electrical power to the processor  15 , transceiver  20 , positioning sensor  25 , and tamper circuit  45 . 
         [0017]    The processor  15  at a predetermined interval sends a request to the transceiver  20  to transmit a proximity signal at a predetermined interval. The proximity signal is limited in range and is to be received by the HCU  70  (remote computing unit). A proximity signal is a signal (typically a carrier signal) communicated between the HCU  70  and the monitoring device  10  that tells the HCU  70  that the monitoring device  10  is within a certain preset distance to the HCU  70 . The HCU  70  is placed in a central location within the area that the participant will be monitored, such as the home, but could be placed in other locations such as place of employment or other remote locations. When the HCU  70  receives the proximity signal from the monitoring device  10  it returns an acknowledgement signal to the monitoring device  10 . The transceiver  20  of the monitoring device  10  receives the acknowledgement signal. The transceiver  20  sends the acknowledgment signal to the processor  15 . 
         [0018]    If the processor  15  does not receive the acknowledgement signal, the processor  15  requests position data from the positioning sensor  25 . The positioning sensor  25  uses cellular phone triangulation, satellite positioning, or other methods or determination position to get a “fix” or location data on the monitoring device  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the positioning sensor  25  will first attempt to get positioning data using GPS. In this embodiment, it is contemplated that a GPS antenna (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) in communication with the positioning sensor  25  will also be present in the portable unit. If the sensor is unable to pick up a GPS signal, it will then make use of alternate sources of positioning data, such as by cellular triangulation. The location data is sent from the positioning sensor  25  to the processor  15 . The processor  15  sends the location data to memory unit  30  for later retrieval. In a preferred embodiment, the memory unit utilizes flash memory. The processor  15  repeats the request of location data at a predetermined interval until an RF acknowledgement signal is received, storing the location data in memory unit  30  each time for later retrieval. 
         [0019]    The positioning sensor  25  is active at all times when the participant is out of proximity of the HCU  70 . When the positioning sensor  25  is unable to get a fix, the last location data is repeated to the processor  15  and stored in the memory unit  30 . This prevents the battery  50  from being drained while the sensors are out of range or communication. Alternatively, the positioning sensor  25  can operate independent of the transceiver  20  receiving an acknowledgement signal. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the tamper circuit  45  is connected to a retention strap  46  to hold the monitoring device  10  to the person using the device. The retention strap  46  is equipped with one or more means to verify that the unit is not removed, such as fiber optic, electronic, or magnetic means. The monitoring device is intended to be worn by the participant 24 hours a day and not removed, except by an authorized person. 
         [0021]    When the HCU  70  and the monitoring device  10  come in close proximity to each other, a connection is established between the HCU  70  and the monitoring device  10 . Thereupon the monitoring device  10  will transmit information to the HCU  70 . The processor  15  requests the location data from the memory unit  30 . In response to the request the memory unit  30  sends the location data to the processor  15 . The processor sends the location data to the HCU wirelessly. In an alternative embodiment, the HCU  70  will first send a request to the processor  15  for all stored location data, after which the processor initiates the sequence described here. 
         [0022]    Alternatively, the monitoring device  10  can be in electrical and data communication with the HCU  70  by connecting the charging/data cable  75  between the HCU  70  and the data port  60 , of the monitoring device  10 . The charging/data cable  75  establishes a data communication path from the processor  15  to the HCU  70 . Once a connection is established between the HCU  70  and the monitoring device  10 , the monitoring device will transmit information to the HCU  70 . The processor  15  requests the location data from the memory unit  30 . In response to the request the memory unit  30  sends the location data to the processor  15 . The processor sends the location data to the HCU through the charging/data cable  75 . In an alternative embodiment, the HCU  70  will first send a request to the processor  15  for all stored location data, after which the processor initiates the sequence described here. The HCU  70  then sends the data to the CMS. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the charging/data cable  75  provides electricity to the charging circuit  55  to power and charge the battery  50 . Alternatively, the data/charging cable  75  may also be connectable to a standard wall outlet to charge the battery. In yet other embodiments, the monitoring device may be charged through magnetic induction or other suitable methods for charging devices. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the monitoring device  10  includes a light emitting diode (LED)  35  or a several LEDs. The LEDs  35  are in electrical communication with the processor  15  and the battery  50 . The LEDs  35  can be used to communicate a variety of data, including but not limited to battery life, RF link with the HCU  70 , positioning signal, and tamper circuit status. 
         [0025]    The charging circuit  55  is in data communication with the processor  15 . The charging circuit  55  monitors the battery  50  life remaining and sends the data to the processor  15 . The processor  15  sends a signal lighting the appropriate color or number of LEDs  35  to indicate to the participant the battery life remaining. If the processor  15  has received the acknowledgement signal from the transceiver  20  the process will send a signal to an LED  35  to light, indicating the RF link is current. If the processor  15  does not receive the next acknowledgement signal form the transceiver  20 , the processor  15  sends a signal to the LED bank  35  to turn off the RF link LED or in addition turn on a “no RF link” LED. As the participant travels and periodic location data is obtained the signal strength can be sent to the processor  15 . The processor  15  sends a signal to the LEDs  35  to indicate the strength of the signal to the participant. If the tamper circuit  45  is operating normally (no tampering detected), the processor  15  may not light a LED  35  or it may send a signal to the LEDs  35  to light a normal light. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, if the tamper circuit  45  detects tampering the processor  15  will send a signal to the LEDs  35  to light a tamper light, to indicate to the participant and monitoring service that the tampering has occurred. In another embodiment, the GPS signal strength is indicated by the LEDs  35 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment the monitoring device  10  includes a vibration motor  40 . The vibration motor  40  is in electrical connection with the processor  15  and the battery  50 . The vibration motor  40  can be used to communicate a variety of data to the participant, including but not limited to battery charge complete, loss of RF link, tamper detection, and pre-tamper warning. The vibration motor can also be used to signal zone violations—for example if the participant travels too close to a school, bar, or other area where the participant is not allowed to be. 
         [0028]    As an example, the charging circuit  55  sends a signal to the processor  15  indicating that the battery  50  is at full charge. The processor  15  sends a signal to the vibration motor  40  to turn on for a predetermined period. The circumstances will usually let the participant know what the vibration means, but if the LED  35  is equipped it will also indicate the reason for the vibration. When the participant moves beyond the range of RF link to the HCU  70 , the processor  15  no longer receives the acknowledgement signal from the transceiver  20 . The processor  15  sends a signal to the vibration motor  40  to turn on for a predetermined period. In another example, if the tamper circuit is equipped with a pre-tamper function, the tamper circuit detects a strain on the retention strap  46 . The tamper circuit  45  sends a signal to the processor  15 . The processor sends a signal to the vibration motor  40  to turn on for a predetermined period. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the monitoring device includes a speaker  41 . The speaker  41  is in electrical connection with the battery  50  and the processor  15 . The speaker  41  operates in substantially the same way as the vibration  40  motor, but can have different tones, noises, or words to signal different events. 
         [0030]    In another embodiment, the transceiver  20  of the monitoring device  10  is capable of wireless communication with the HCU  70  using the Bluetooth® standard, WiFi, or other similar means of communication. In the preferred embodiment, the transceiver  20  makes use of 2.4 gHz transmissions. The transceiver  20  is in data communication with the HCU  70 . When the monitoring device  10  is within range of the HCU  70 , the processor  15  request the transceiver  20  to establish communication with the HCU  70 . The HCU  70  then requests the location data from the monitoring device  10 . The transceiver  20  sends the request to the processor  15 . The processor  15  requests the stored location data from the memory unit  30 . The processor  15  sends the location data to the transceiver  20 . The transceiver  20  sends the location data to the HCU  70  by wireless communication means. The HCU  70 , in turn, sends the data to the CMS, as described below. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the monitoring, recording and tracking system. The monitoring, recording and tracking system includes a monitoring device  10 , a home curfew unit (HCU)  70 , and a central monitoring station (CMS)  90 . 
         [0032]    The monitoring device  10  is in electrical/data communication with the HCU  70 . The HCU  70 , in turn, is in communication with a central computing unit, the CMS  90 . The monitoring device  10  sends a short range RF or wireless transmission or proximity signal to the HCU  70 . When the HCU  70  is in sufficient proximity to receive the signal, the HCU  70  sends an acknowledgement signal back to the monitoring device  10 . The HCU  70  converts the data into status data consisting of a date, time, and status of the participant (e.g., present or not present). Once the HCU  70  has received and converted the data, the HCU  70  sends the status data to the CMS  90 . The CMS  90  monitors the data from various units and alerts authorities or interested parties when the participant is not within the range of the RF transmission. Similarly the HCU  70  sends an immediate signal to the CMS  90  in the event a tamper is detected on the monitoring device  10 . 
         [0033]    When the participant leaves the RF transmission range the positioning system of the invention is activated. As described above, the position system utilizes a cellular, satellite, or similar positioning system to identify the location of the participant. The location data is recorded by the monitoring device  10  while the participant is out of range of the HCU  70 . The location data is stored in the monitoring device  10  and downloaded to the HCU  70  at a later time. The HCU  70  sends the location data to the CMS  90 . The CMS  90  evaluates and stores the location data to verify that the participant is in authorized locations and compare time and place to offenses occurring in areas traveled by the participant. 
         [0034]    When the monitoring device  10  is out of RF transmission range the monitoring device  10  will activate a positioning function. In the preferred embodiment, the positioning sensor  25  will first attempt to get positioning data using GPS. If the sensor is unable to pick up a GPS signal, it will then make use of alternate sources of positioning data, such as by cellular triangulation. The location data is stored in memory. When the participant connects the charging/data cable between the monitoring device  10  and the HCU  70 , or connects wirelessly to the HCU, the location data is sent to the HCU  70 . The HCU  70  sends the location data to the CMS  90 . The CMS  90  uses the data to verify the location data from the positioning system data generated by the monitoring system  10 . 
         [0035]    In some embodiments of the prior art, the monitoring systems employed a portable GPS unit to verify location of the participant. This system relied on the participant to voluntarily wear the GPS device and remember each time they left a home location. The monitoring, recording, and tracking system of the present invention has a built in positioning sensor to ensure the location data is recorded while the participant is wear the monitoring device away from the HCU. 
         [0036]    While particular elements, embodiments, and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto because modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications and incorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.