Patent US5218344A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5218344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for monitoring personnel
Assignee: BLACK CREEK INTEGRATED SYSTEMS CORP
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Filing: 1991-07-31
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Granted: 1993-06-08
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Expires: 2011-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for monitoring personnel in an institution such as a correctional facility, hospital, school, military installation, and the like, includes a computer connected with one or more stationary transceivers in a defined area of the facility, and a portable transceiver unit worn by each individual who is to be monitored. The computer sends command signals to the stationary transceivers, which broadcast interrogation signals to the portable units. The portable units are configured to respond only to interrogation signals unique to that individual, and upon decoding an interrogation signal incident thereon, broadcast a response signal to the stationary transceivers. The stationary transceivers relay corresponding data to the computer, where the data is analyzed to provide an indication of the number, location and identity of the individuals. The portable transceiver units have an emergency alarm button which may be actuated by the individual in the event of an emergency, and selected portable transceiver units may also be configured to be sensitive to proximity between them. In addition, the portable units may be coded for access to vending apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Ricketts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:18
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B26/00; G08B26/007; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/28; G08B25/00; G08B25/009; G08B25/01; G08B25/016; G08B3/00; G08B3/10; G08B3/1008; G08B3/1016; G08B3/1083; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of electronically monitoring the number, location and identity of individuals in an institution such as a correctional facility, hospital, school, and the like, comprising the steps of: sending commands from a computer to one or more stationary transceivers positioned in an area containing individuals to be monitored; broadcasting interrogation signals from the stationary transceivers to a plurality of portable transceiver units in the area, each portable unit being secured to an individual to be monitored and each being configured to respond only to an interrogation signal unique to that individual; decoding the interrogation signals in the portable units, producing a response signal only in those units configured to respond to the interrogation signals, and broadcasting the response signals to the stationary transceivers; and receiving the response signals in the stationary transceivers and relaying corresponding data to the computer, where the data is analyzed to provide an indication of the number, location and identity of the individuals being monitored, wherein the determination of location is based upon the difference in time it takes a signal from a portable transceiver unit to reach the stationary transceivers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of electronically monitoring the number, location and identity of individuals in an institution such as a correctional facility, hospital, school, and the like, comprising the steps of: sending commands from a computer to one or more stationary transceivers positioned in an area containing individuals to be monitored; broadcasting interrogation signals from the stationary transceivers to a plurality of portable transceiver units in the area, each portable unit being secured to an individual to be monitored and each being configured to respond only to an interrogation signal unique to that individual; decoding the interrogation signals in the portable units, producing a response signal only in those units configured to respond to the interrogation signals, and broadcasting the response signals to the stationary transceivers; and receiving the response signals in the stationary transceivers and relaying corresponding data to the computer, where the data is analyzed to provide an indication of the number, location and identity of the individuals being monitored, wherein the determination of location is based upon the difference in time it takes a signal from a portable transceiver unit to reach the stationary transceivers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of: providing a selectively operable alarm signal generating means in each portable transceiver unit, that may be activated by the individual wearing that unit to summon help in an emergency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of: configuring selected portable transceiver units to be responsive to each other; and producing a signal whenever individuals carrying the selected units approach each other beyond a predetermined threshold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, including the step of: providing a selectively operable alarm signal generating means in each portable transceiver unit, that may be activated by the individual wearing that unit to summon help in an emergency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including the steps of: providing at least three stationary transceivers in each area to be monitored; and determined the location of individuals in that area by triangulation techniques based on data received by the stationary transceivers from the portable units, and analyzed in the computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, including the step of: providing a selectively operable alarm signal generating means in each portable transceiver unit, that may be activated by the individual wearing that unit to summon help in an emergency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, including the steps of: configuring selected portable transceiver units to be responsive to each other; and producing a signal whenever individuals carrying the selected units approach each other beyond a predetermined threshold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, including the steps of: providing each selected portable transceiver unit with signal broadcasting and receiving means to render the selected units directly sensitive to the proximity of each other; and producing an alarm signal to the wearer of the selected units whenever they approach one another within a predetermined distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, including the steps of: using the computer to send interrogation signals to the stationary transceivers for broadcast and receipt of signals between them and selected portable transceiver units, including the broadcast, receipt and analysis of data to indicate the proximity of selected portable units to one another; and providing an alarm signal whenever selected portable units approach each other within a predetermined distance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, including the step of: providing a selectively operable alarm signal generating means in each portable transceiver unit, that may be activated by the individual wearing that unit to summon help in an emergency.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, including the step of: providing a selectively operable alarm signal generating means in each portable transceiver unit, that may be activated by the individual wearing that unit to summon help in an emergency.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of: using the portable transceiver unit to access vending means, by providing coded data on each unit and analyzing that data with the computer to determine the availability of the requested vending means to that individual.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
160 words
A system for monitoring individuals in an institution such as a hospital, correctional facility, school and the like, comprising: a plurality of portable transceiver units each having means for securing it to the person of an individual to be monitored, and each having circuit means operable to respond to an interrogation signal unique to that unit and to broadcast a response to said interrogation signal; at least one stationary transceiver located in an area where individuals to be monitored may be found, said stationary transceiver having circuit means for broadcasting said interrogation signal and receiving said response; and a computer connected to said stationary transceivers for sending command signals to said stationary transceivers and receiving data therefrom, and operable to analyze said data to provide an indication of the number, location and identity of individuals being monitored, wherein the location is determined by the amount of time it takes a signal from the portable transceiver to reach the stationary transceiver.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
160 words
A system for monitoring individuals in an institution such as a hospital, correctional facility, school and the like, comprising: a plurality of portable transceiver units each having means for securing it to the person of an individual to be monitored, and each having circuit means operable to respond to an interrogation signal unique to that unit and to broadcast a response to said interrogation signal; at least one stationary transceiver located in an area where individuals to be monitored may be found, said stationary transceiver having circuit means for broadcasting said interrogation signal and receiving said response; and a computer connected to said stationary transceivers for sending command signals to said stationary transceivers and receiving data therefrom, and operable to analyze said data to provide an indication of the number, location and identity of individuals being monitored, wherein the location is determined by the amount of time it takes a signal from the portable transceiver to reach the stationary transceiver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein: each portable transceiver unit includes circuitry operable to send an alarm signal; and a self-locking alarm button is connected with said circuitry and is actuatable by the individual wearing that unit to energize said circuitry and send an alarm signal to said stationary transceivers to summon help in an emergency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein: means is provided to render selected portable transceiver units sensitive to the proximity of others.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein: said means comprises circuit means in each of the selected portable transceiver units to render them directly responsive to the proximity of another of them; and means in said units for giving an alarm when two of said units approach one another within a predetermined distance.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said means comprises said computer and said stationary transceivers, which collect data indicative of the locations of the selected units, analyze the data to determine the proximity of them to one another, and provide an alarm signal to each of the offending units when they approach each other beyond a predetermined threshold.
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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) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-12-07 | 1997-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-07 | 2000-12-07 | 2001-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-07 | 2004-12-07 | 2005-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |