Abstract:
A hand held unit is disclosed, the unit including a tracking signal generator and an access authorization signal generator, each signal generator being separately and independently actuatable by a user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to personnel and asset tracking systems as well as access authorization, and more particularly relates to an integrated system providing a portable RF tracking transmitter and access authorization signal generator. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A number of personal security systems include portable radio frequency (RF) transmitters carried by a system subscriber for actuation in an emergency or threatening situation. Typically, fixed receivers monitor an area where the system is installed and initiate a planned sequence of events when the emergency transmission is detected. Sirens and/or strobes may be energized to ward off attackers while a call is made to appropriate security personnel for assistance. The system usually is monitored from a control station including software or a program for identifying the approximate location of the threatened subscribers. 
     Theses systems typically employ a portable or hand-held transmitter which is carried by a subscriber. For individuals to take advantage of this technology, the individual must carry the security (tracking) transmitters. Carrying the transmitter itself is not a significant burden. However, when combined with various keys, cards and other similar devices people carry, the collection of the elements becomes quite cumbersome. This burden is an incentive for an individual to avoid carrying some items. If the individual fails to carry the transmitters the benefits of the system are lost. 
     Therefore, there is a need for integrating otherwise disparate technologies while maintaining the accessibility and hence viability of each technology. The further need exists for a system which can perform a desired tracking or security functions as well as incorporate alternate technologies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an integrated personnel or asset tracking system for industrial, commercial or institutional applications with access authorization capabilities in a single portable unit. 
     The present tracking transmitter may be employed in either a security system or an asset tracking system, and the access authorization may be applied to physical areas (restricted areas) as well as controls including control systems and financial applications such as debit cards and associated databases. 
     The present portable unit is hand held in that it is readily carried on a person. In a first configuration, the hand held unit includes a tracking radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF access signal generator selected to obtain access with respect to a predetermined receiver. 
     In a second configuration, the hand held unit incorporates a tracking RF transmitter and a proximity sensor for generating lower frequency signal in response to a movement of the hand held unit through a magnetic field, so as to generate a unique access authorization signal. In a further configuration, the proximity device does not require movement relative the magnetic field, but rather is presented to an electromagnetic field, such is a 125 KHz field. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the tracking component. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic (block) diagram showing a first configuration of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic (block) representation of an alternative configuration of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention cooperates with a tracking system  100  and an access authorization system  200 , wherein components of each system are integrated into a single portable hand held unit  30 . 
     The term “tracking” is intended to encompass personnel or asset tracking for industrial, commercial or institutional applications. The term “access” is intended to encompass, but not be limited to access to physical locations, databases or operating and control systems. It is understood the access may include debit or payment systems as well as credit systems. 
     The hand held unit  30  can be any of variety of configurations for transport by an individual. For example, the unit  30  may be configured to clip onto a belt, or pocket. Alternatively, the unit  30  may be sized to be received in a shirt, coat or pants pocket. Further configurations include the unit  30  selected to engage a strap, cord lanyard or other tether which is carried by or attached to the individual. The hand held unit  30  may encompass those attached to the belt or a key fob, a badge or a neck or wrist strap. That is, the hand held unit  30  is readily portable and associated with a particular person (or asset) and while it may be of a hand-held configuration it encompasses those unit disposed on other portions of the body or clothing. Each of the these and any equivalent constructions arc encompassed by the term “hand held unit  30 .” 
     Tracking System 
     The tracking system  100  generally includes transmitters  110 , receivers  120 , transponders  130 , and a central console  140 . In a particular configuration it is also understood the tracking system may include alert units. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,192 issuing Mar. 7, 1994 and U. S. Pat. No. 5,717,378 issuing Apr. 1, 1996, are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a configuration of the invention is depicted in a personal security system including the wireless, hand-portable unit  30  having transmitters  110 , one or more local receiving networks  120 / 130 , and the central control  140 . 
     The transmitters  110  are carried in the hand held unit  30  by subscribers to the system for actuation in emergency or threatening situations to scare away attackers and call for assistance. The transmitters  110  send a radio frequency signal to the surrounding area, at a predetermined frequency and signal strength, including a unique code that identifies the transmitter. Alternatively, the signal strength of the transmitter  110  does not need to be predetermined. Thus, the system can employ the relative signal strengths received by the different receivers reporting the signal. 
     The local networks include a plurality of receivers  120 , alarms and a local control (transponder)  130  coupled through a communications link to the central control  140 . The local networks monitor the protected area for emergency transmissions and, in combination with the central control, activate the alarms. The local networks also detect information about the transmitted signal, including the strength of the received signal and the transmitter identification. This information is stored and forwarded to the central control for determining the location of the emergency transmission and the name of the subscriber to which the transmitter is assigned. 
     The central control  140  validates the transmission, by comparing the transmitter identification to a database of subscribers. Assuming the transmission is from a current subscriber, alarms are activated in the vicinity of the transmission, and security personnel are dispatched to the same area for assistance. 
     Although these components are fully set forth in the incorporated references, a brief description is set forth to assist the understanding of the present invention. 
     Transmitter 
     The transmitter  110  is located in the hand held unit  30  and includes a miniature radio frequency (RF) tracking transmitter containing a unique code to the particular tracking transmitter. Upon activation, the tracking, transmitter  110  venerates an alarm or tracking signal. 
     The tracking transmitter  110  contains a unique code which is associated with the user at the time the tracking transmitter  110  is assigned. The tracking transmitter may operate in a variety of modes to provide a variety of alarm signals such as a manual distress alarm initiated by pressing a large button on the transmitter; a man-down alarm which will transmit an alarm upon a predetermined orientation of the transmitter; and a lanyard pull alarm in response to removal of a pin from the tracking transmitter. 
     In addition, subsequent to an alarm signal, the tracking transmitter  110  may automatically resend the signal every few seconds to update the location of the transmitter. 
     Alternatively, the transmitter  110  may be employed with supervision tracking wherein the transmitter will send a tracking signal to the central console to allow monitoring of the transmitter&#39;s location. 
     As the tracking transmitter  110  in located in the hand held unit  30 , the unit includes actuating buttons or grips for selectively actuating the tracking transmitter. Preferably, these buttons are located and biased to reduced unintended actuation, without inhibiting use in times of user duress. 
     Receivers 
     The receivers  120  are located throughout the range to be monitored such as the grounds or buildings. The receiver  120  may also include sounders which may be activated upon reception of a particular signal. The receiver  120  is preferably housed to permit either indoor or outdoor operation. 
     Each receiver  120  contains a radio receiver to detect transmissions from the transmitters and a microprocessor to decode and interpret the received signal such as test and alarm signals. The receivers  120  are configured such that upon detecting an alarm from a transmitter, a corresponding signal is sent to the transponder  130 . 
     Transponder 
     The transponder  130  continuously monitors the operation of a group of receivers  120  to maintain system integrity as well as querying receivers. The transponder  130  collects and summarizes signals and relays the data to the central console  140 . The transponder  130  may also communicate with the receivers  120  in response to signals from the control console  140 . 
     The primary function of the transponder  130  is to monitor the receivers  120  and any alert units, if employed, and report conditions and events to the central console via either a wire or radio signal. In addition, the transponder  130  may provide power output to selected devices. 
     Central Console 
     The central console  140  includes a computer and associated software for monitoring and processing signals. The central console  140  receives a signal from the transponder  130  and determines the location of the transmitter  110  and hence unit  30  as well as the individual or asset to whom the transmitter has been issued. In addition, the central console  140  may present the location and identify information on a visual display such as a computer screen. 
     In a preferred configuration, the central console  140  also contains subscriber and operating data bases used to check subscriber identify and operator passwords and authority levels. 
     The central console  140  also monitors all transponders and reports component or system faults. 
     Thus, the tracking component of the present invention may be used for security systems and thereby providing location of an activated transmitter. Alternatively, the tracking component may be implied on assets which may move through various stages of a facility. 
     Access Authorization System 
     The access authorization system  200  includes an access authorization signal generator  210  for cooperatively interfacing with a restricted resource  202 . The restricted resource  202  may be any of a variety of elements, including but not limited to a restricted area in a building, facility or plant. Similarly, the restricted resource  202  may be an operating system or control system. Further restricted resources  202  include databases, ATMs, automated vending machines, gas pumps, as well as services such as pay per use institutions including tolled highways. 
     The access authorization signal generator  210  is also located in the hand held unit  30 . Thus, the hand held unit  30  houses the RF tracking transmitter  110  and the access authorization signal generator  210 . 
     The access authorization signal generator  210  is retained in the hand held unit  30  and may be any of the variety of configurations, such as an RF access authorization signal generator or a proximity sensor. 
     In the RF access authorization signal generator, a tracking transmitter is controlled in the unit  30  to produce a separate distinct access authorization signal. Generally, the access authorization signal is substantially weaker than the tracking signal. Typically the access signal is the same strength as the tracking signal, and the receivers are significantly detuned so they require the transmitter to be relatively close, typically on the order of 0.5 to 18 inches away. 
     The access authorization signal is directed to a separate access receiver or reader, which is configurated to respond to the transmitted access authorization signal and grant or deny access to the associated restricted resource. Preferably, the access authorization signal is selectively activated to transmit the access authorization signal. 
     In an alternative configuration, the access authorization signal is generated by a proximity sensor. In the configuration, the hand held unit includes a loop or coil of wire connected to a circuit, such as on a chip, for generating a lower frequency access authorization signal. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,053,774 and 5,629,981 are hereby expressly incorporated by references. 
     In use, the user presents the and hand held unit  30  and hence the coil to a magnetic field to generate and electric current in the coil. The generated current is passed through the circuitry which then produces and transmits a predetermined access authorization signal. 
     A benefit of the present invention is the incorporation and integration of the tracking signal generator and the access authorization signal generator in a single hand held housing  30 . 
     It is also contemplated the access authorization signal may be encrypted. That is, the transferred signal is in the form of a cyphertext. The specific encryption is at least partially determined by the intended operating environment and associated risks. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures.