US4916435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote confinement monitoring station and system incorporating same
Assignee: Guardian Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1988-05-10
•
Granted: 1990-04-10
•
Expires: 2008-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A remote confinement system is provided which includes a monitoring station having a telecommunications camera and a breath flow responsive actuating means which may form part of an alcohol breath tester. The actuating means is mounted to position the face of a person blowing thereinto facing the camera such that a properly focused, centered identifying image of consistent scale and devoid of background will be formed. Where the confinee is subject to restrictions on the use of alcohol the actuating means may form part of an alcohol breath tester which preferably has a visual display that is also included in the image field of the camera. The operation of the camera is conditioned on the commencement of the delivery of a breath sample. When a proper breath sample is provided, the camera forms and transmits at least one image to a central office by way of a communications link for interruption. At the central office the received images are compared with file data to determine whether a specified confinee is present at the remote location where the monitoring station is located as well as the result of the breath test if one is required.
Inventors
- 👤 Kip L. Fuller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/497; G01N33/4972; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 74
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: a telecommunications camera connectable to a central station by way of a communications link, said camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; mechanical locating means for locating a person at a location within said image field such that the face of the person substantially fills said image field; means for generating a trip signal in response to a flow of breath from the person when the person is located by said locating means at said location, and control means responsive to said trip signal for enabling an image of the person to be viewed at said central station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: a telecommunications camera connectable to a central station by way of a communications link, said camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; mechanical locating means for locating a person at a location within said image field such that the face of the person substantially fills said image field; means for generating a trip signal in response to a flow of breath from the person when the person is located by said locating means at said location, and control means responsive to said trip signal for enabling an image of the person to be viewed at said central station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
133 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: (a) a telecommunications camera connectable to a central station by way of a communications link, said camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; (b) mechanical locating means for locating a person at a specific location within said image field such that the face of the person substantially fills said image field; (c) an alcohol breath tester for determining the blood alcohol content of a person, said tester including means responsive to the delivery of a breath sample thereinto for generating a first trip signal, and (d) control means responsive to said trip signal for enabling an image of the person to be viewed at said central station whereby viewing of background images at said central station is avoided.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
133 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: (a) a telecommunications camera connectable to a central station by way of a communications link, said camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; (b) mechanical locating means for locating a person at a specific location within said image field such that the face of the person substantially fills said image field; (c) an alcohol breath tester for determining the blood alcohol content of a person, said tester including means responsive to the delivery of a breath sample thereinto for generating a first trip signal, and (d) control means responsive to said trip signal for enabling an image of the person to be viewed at said central station whereby viewing of background images at said central station is avoided.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The monitoring station of claim 2 wherein said locating means comprises means for maintaining a distance between said camera and a person using said breath tester appropriate to ensure said first image is substantially in focus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitoring station of claim 2 wherein said locating means comprises an arm supporting said breath tester.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The monitoring station of claim 4 wherein said arm is connected to said camera.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The monitoring station of claim 4 further comprising base means associated with said camera, at least a portion of said arm being selectively, receivable within said base in a retracted position and extendable from said base in an extended position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The monitoring station of claim 6 wherein said extended position of said arm effectively locates the head of a person using said breath tester to ensure that said first image at least one of: (i) is substantially in focus, and (ii) substantially fills said image field.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The monitoring station of claim 7 further comprising limit switch means operably connected to said camera to sense the position of said arm and permit said camera to form an image only when said arm is in said extended position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The monitoring station of claim 2 wherein said camera has a depth of field of more than about five feet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The monitoring station of claim 9 wherein said depth of field of said camera includes at least a portion of both said specific location and said background.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The monitoring station of claim 2 further comprising means for generating a second trip signal after said first trip signal has been generated to initiate at least one of, forming and transmitting a second image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The monitoring station of claim 11 further comprising visually readable display means for indicating alcohol content, said display being disposed within said field of view so that said second image includes said display as well as said person.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The monitoring station of claim 12 wherein said display means further comprises means for indicating at least one of the following conditions: (i) that the breath tester is prepared to receive a breath sample; (ii) that a breath test is in progress, and (iii) that a breath test has been aborted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The monitoring station of claim 12 further comprising illumination means directed toward at least a portion of said image field, said illumination means adapted to be lighted when forming said first image so that said person is clearly visible therein and dimmed when forming said second image so that said display is clearly visible therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The monitoring station of claim 11 wherein said alcohol breath tester includes breath sample validity ensuring means for requiring said breath sample to be delivered as a substantially continuous, uninterrupted flow of breath over a predetermined interval of time as a required condition for generating said second trip signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The monitoring station of claim 15 wherein said breath sample validity ensuring means includes breath flow sensing means and timing means responsive to said breath flow sensing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The monitoring station of claim 15 wherein said second trip signal is generated after said predetermined interval elapses.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The monitoring station of claim 2 further comprising illumination means to illuminate at least a portion of said image field in response to said first trip signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
123 words
A monitoring system comprising: (a) a central station; (b) at least one monitoring station connectable to said central station by way of a communications link, said monitoring station including: (i) a telecommunications camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; (ii) means for locating a person at a location within said image field such that the face of the person substantially fills said image field, and (iii) breath flow responsive actuating means for generating a trip signal in response to a flow of breath from the person when the person is located by said locating means at said location, and (c) control means responsive to said trip signal for enabling an image of the person to be viewed at said central office.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
123 words
A monitoring system comprising: (a) a central station; (b) at least one monitoring station connectable to said central station by way of a communications link, said monitoring station including: (i) a telecommunications camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; (ii) means for locating a person at a location within said image field such that the face of the person substantially fills said image field, and (iii) breath flow responsive actuating means for generating a trip signal in response to a flow of breath from the person when the person is located by said locating means at said location, and (c) control means responsive to said trip signal for enabling an image of the person to be viewed at said central office.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said actuating means forms part of an alcohol breath tester for determining the blood alcohol content of a person blowing breath into said breath tester.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
112 words
A monitoring system comprising: (a) a central station; (b) at least one monitoring station connectable to said central station by way of a communication link, said monitoring station including: (i) an alcohol breath tester for determining the blood alcohol content of a person, said tester including means responsive to the delivery of a breath sample thereinto for generating a first trip signal, and (ii) a telecommunications camera connected to said breath tester and having a field of view directed generally toward said tester, said telecommunications camera requiring receipt of said first trip signal to initiate at least one of, forming and transmitting, a first image of a person using said breath tester.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
112 words
A monitoring system comprising: (a) a central station; (b) at least one monitoring station connectable to said central station by way of a communication link, said monitoring station including: (i) an alcohol breath tester for determining the blood alcohol content of a person, said tester including means responsive to the delivery of a breath sample thereinto for generating a first trip signal, and (ii) a telecommunications camera connected to said breath tester and having a field of view directed generally toward said tester, said telecommunications camera requiring receipt of said first trip signal to initiate at least one of, forming and transmitting, a first image of a person using said breath tester.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 21 further comprising: mechanical locating means for locating the head of a person using said breath tester such that the face of the person substantially fills said image field whereby transmission of background images is avoided.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said locating means comprises means for maintaining a distance between said camera and a person using said breath tester appropriate to ensure said first image is substantially in focus.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said locating means comprises an arm supporting said breath tester.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said arm is connected to said camera.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 25 further comprising base means associated with said camera, at least a portion of said arm being, selectively, receivable within said base in a retracted position and extendable from said base in an extended position.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said extended position of said arm effectively locates the head of a person using said breath tester to ensure that said first image at least one of: (i) is substantially in focus, and (ii) substantially fills said image field.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 27 further comprising limit switch means operably connected to said camera to sense the position of said arm and permit said camera to form an image only when said arm is in said extended position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 21 further comprising means for generating a second trip signal after said first trip signal has been generated to initiate at least one of, forming and transmitting a second image.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 29 further comprising visually readable display means for indicating alcohol content, said display being disposed within said field of view so that said second image includes said display as well as said person.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 30 wherein said display means further comprises means for indicating at least one of the following conditions: (i) that the breath tester is prepared to receive a breath sample; (ii) that a breath test is in progress, and (iii) that a breath test has been aborted.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 30 further comprising illumination means directed toward at least a portion of said image field, said illumination means adapted to be lighted when forming said first image so that said person is clearly visible therein and dimmed when forming said second image so that said display is clearly visible therein.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 29 wherein said alcohol breath tester includes breath sample validity ensuring means for requiring said breath sample to be delivered as a substantially continuous, uninterrupted flow of breath over a predetermined interval of time as a required condition for generating said second trip signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said breath sample validity ensuring means includes breath flow sensing means and timing means responsive to said breath flow sensing means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 29 wherein said second trip signal is generated after said predetermined interval elapses.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 21 further comprising illumination means to illuminate at least a portion of said image field in response to said first trip signal.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for monitoring from a central station confinees confined at a remote location equipped with an alcohol breath tester for determining the blood alcohol content of a person based on a breath sample delivered into the tester and further equipped with a telecommunications camera connected to said central location by way of a communications link, said method comprising the steps of: forming an image with the camera, said image including said person and the display of the breath tester, said image being formed in response to the delivery of breath into said tester, and transmitting said first and second images to the central station by way of the communications link to determine: (i) whether said person is a specified confinee who is present at the remote location, and (ii) at least one of, the presence of alcohol in the person's breath and the concentration of alcohol in the person's blood.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for monitoring from a central station confinees confined at a remote location equipped with an alcohol breath tester for determining the blood alcohol content of a person based on a breath sample delivered into the tester and further equipped with a telecommunications camera connected to said central location by way of a communications link, said method comprising the steps of: forming an image with the camera, said image including said person and the display of the breath tester, said image being formed in response to the delivery of breath into said tester, and transmitting said first and second images to the central station by way of the communications link to determine: (i) whether said person is a specified confinee who is present at the remote location, and (ii) at least one of, the presence of alcohol in the person's breath and the concentration of alcohol in the person's blood.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of, mechanically locating said breath tester in a predetermined position with respect to the camera, said position being selected such that the image of at least an identifiable portion of a person blowing breath into said breath tester substantially fills the image field viewed by the camera whereby the transmission of background images is avoided.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of, mechanically locating said breath tester in a predetermined position with respect to the camera, said position being selected such that the image of at least an identifiable portion of a person blowing breath into said breath tester together with the display of the breath tester substantially fills the image field viewed by the camera whereby the transmission of background images is avoided.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for monitoring from a central station confinees at a remote location equipped with an alcohol breath tester for determining the blood alcohol content of a person based on a breath sample delivered into the tester and further equipped with a telecommunications camera connected to said central station by way of a communications link, said method comprising the steps of: forming at least two successive images at the remote location using the camera, a first of said images including at least said person, a second of said images including at least the display of the tester, said first image being formed in response to the delivery of breath into said tester, said second image being formed subsequently to said first image following a time delay without further action required on the part of said person, and transmitting said first and second images to the central station by way of the communications link to determine: (i) whether said person is a specified confinee who is present at the remote location, and (ii) at least one of, the presence of alcohol in the person's breath and the concentration of alcohol in the person's blood.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for monitoring from a central station confinees at a remote location equipped with an alcohol breath tester for determining the blood alcohol content of a person based on a breath sample delivered into the tester and further equipped with a telecommunications camera connected to said central station by way of a communications link, said method comprising the steps of: forming at least two successive images at the remote location using the camera, a first of said images including at least said person, a second of said images including at least the display of the tester, said first image being formed in response to the delivery of breath into said tester, said second image being formed subsequently to said first image following a time delay without further action required on the part of said person, and transmitting said first and second images to the central station by way of the communications link to determine: (i) whether said person is a specified confinee who is present at the remote location, and (ii) at least one of, the presence of alcohol in the person's breath and the concentration of alcohol in the person's blood.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
101 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: a telecommunications camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; mechanical means for locating the head of a person at a specific location within said image field such that the face of the person substantially fills said image field, and actuating means connected to said camera, said actuating means being responsive to a flow of breath from said person to generate a trip signal, said telecommunications camera requiring receipt of said trip signal to initiate at least one of, forming and transmitting an image of said person.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
101 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: a telecommunications camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; mechanical means for locating the head of a person at a specific location within said image field such that the face of the person substantially fills said image field, and actuating means connected to said camera, said actuating means being responsive to a flow of breath from said person to generate a trip signal, said telecommunications camera requiring receipt of said trip signal to initiate at least one of, forming and transmitting an image of said person.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
100 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: (a) an alcohol breath tester for determining the blood alcohol content of a person, said tester including means responsive to the delivery of a breath sample thereinto for generating a first trip signal, and (b) a telecommunications camera connected to said breath tester, said camera defining an image field viewed by said camera directed generally toward said tester, said telecommunications camera requiring receipt of said first trip signal to initiate at least one of, forming and transmitting, a first image of a person using said breath tester.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
100 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: (a) an alcohol breath tester for determining the blood alcohol content of a person, said tester including means responsive to the delivery of a breath sample thereinto for generating a first trip signal, and (b) a telecommunications camera connected to said breath tester, said camera defining an image field viewed by said camera directed generally toward said tester, said telecommunications camera requiring receipt of said first trip signal to initiate at least one of, forming and transmitting, a first image of a person using said breath tester.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
44 words
The monitoring station of claim 42 further comprising: mechanical locating means for locating a person operating said breath tester such that at least one of, the face and head, of the person substantially fills said image field whereby transmission of background images is avoided.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
The monitoring station of claim 43 wherein said locating means comprises means for maintaining a distance between said camera and a person using said breath tester appropriate to ensure said first image is substantially in focus.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitoring station of claim 43 wherein said locating means comprises an arm supporting said breath tester.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
The monitoring station of claim 45 wherein said arm is connected to said camera.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
40 words
The monitoring station of claim 45 further comprising base means associated with said camera, at least a portion of said arm being, selectively, receivable within said base in a retracted position and extendable from said base in an extended position.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
46 words
The monitoring station of claim 47 wherein said extended position of said arm effectively locates the head of a person using said breath tester to ensure that said first image at least one of: (i) is substantially in focus, and (ii) substantially fills said image field.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
40 words
The monitoring station of claim 48 further comprising limit switch means operably connected to said camera to sense the position of said arm and permit said camera to form an image only when said arm is in said extended position.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
35 words
The monitoring station of claim 42 further comprising means for generating a second trip signal after said first trip signal has been generated to initiate at least one of, forming and transmitting a second image.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
38 words
The monitoring station of claim 50 further comprising visually readable display means for indicating alcohol content, said display being disposed within said field of view so that said second image includes said display as well as said person.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
51 words
The monitoring station of claim 51 wherein said display means further comprises means for indicating at least one of the following conditions: (i) that the breath tester is prepared to receive a breath sample; (ii) that a breath test is in progress, and (iii) that a breath test has been aborted.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
55 words
The monitoring station of claim 51 further comprising illumination means directed toward at least a portion of said image field, said illumination means adapted to be lighted when forming said first image so that said person is clearly visible therein and dimmed when forming said second image so that said display is clearly visible therein.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
49 words
The monitoring station of claim 50 wherein said alcohol breath tester includes breath sample validity ensuring means for requiring said breath sample to be delivered as a substantially continuous, uninterrupted flow of breath over a predetermined interval of time as a required condition for generating said second trip signal.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
The monitoring station of claim 54 wherein said breath sample validity ensuring means includes breath flow sensing means and timing means responsive to said breath flow sensing means.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
18 words
The monitoring station of claim 54 wherein said second trip signal is generated after said predetermined interval elapses.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
27 words
The monitoring station of claim 42 further comprising illumination means to illuminate at least a portion of said image field in response to said first trip signal.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
122 words
A monitoring system comprising: (a) a central station; (b) at least one monitoring station connectable to said central station by way of a communications link, said monitoring station including: (i) a telecommunications camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; (ii) mechanical means for locating the head of a person at a location such that, at least one of, the face and head of the person substantially fills said image field, and (iii) actuating means connected to said camera, said actuating means being responsive to a flow of breath to generate a trip signal, said telecommunications camera requiring receipt of said trip signal to initiate at least one of, forming and transmitting an image of said person to said central station.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
122 words
A monitoring system comprising: (a) a central station; (b) at least one monitoring station connectable to said central station by way of a communications link, said monitoring station including: (i) a telecommunications camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; (ii) mechanical means for locating the head of a person at a location such that, at least one of, the face and head of the person substantially fills said image field, and (iii) actuating means connected to said camera, said actuating means being responsive to a flow of breath to generate a trip signal, said telecommunications camera requiring receipt of said trip signal to initiate at least one of, forming and transmitting an image of said person to said central station.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
78 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: a telecommunications camera connectable to a central office by way of a communications link, said camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; mechanical locating means for locating a person at a location within said image field; signal generating means operably connected to said mechanical locating means for enabling viewing said image field at said central location only if said person is located therein.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
78 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: a telecommunications camera connectable to a central office by way of a communications link, said camera defining an image field viewed by said camera; mechanical locating means for locating a person at a location within said image field; signal generating means operably connected to said mechanical locating means for enabling viewing said image field at said central location only if said person is located therein.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
30 words
A monitoring station as in claim 59 wherein said signal generating means enables viewing of said image field only when the face of said person substantially fills said image field.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitoring station of claim 60 wherein said signal generating means is a breath flow responsive means.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitoring station of claim 59 wherein said signal generating means is a breath flow responsive means.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
72 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: a telecommunications camera connectable to a central office by way of a communications link, said camera defining an image field viewed by said camera, and means operably connected to said camera for generating a signal in response to a flow of breath from a person for enabling an image of the person to be viewed at said central office.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
72 words
A monitoring station for use in a remote confinement system, said station comprising: a telecommunications camera connectable to a central office by way of a communications link, said camera defining an image field viewed by said camera, and means operably connected to said camera for generating a signal in response to a flow of breath from a person for enabling an image of the person to be viewed at said central office.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-09 | 1993-10-09 | 1994-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-09 | 1997-10-09 | 1998-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-09 | 2001-10-09 | 2002-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |