Two-tiered system and method for remote monitoring

Claim 3

A method as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a step of deactivating said alarm when said one of said unique codes is subsequently received.

Claim 4

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said activating step comprises a step of sounding an audio alarm.

Claim 5

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said activating step comprises a step of displaying, at said field node, data identifying a particular monitoree associated with said one of said unique codes.

Claim 6

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said repetitively transmitting step comprises a step of randomizing points in time at which said unique codes are transmitted from said transmitters.

Claim 7

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said method additionally comprises a step of sending field report messages from said field node to said control facility from time to time when all of said unique codes are being received in accordance with said schedule, said field report messages keeping said control facility informed of current situational status at said area.

Claim 8

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said method additionally comprises steps of: determining a location for said area; and sending field report messages from said field node to said control facility from time to time, said field report messages including data describing said location.

Claim 9

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said method additionally comprises steps of: transmitting field report messages from said field node from time to time; receiving said field report messages all a repeater node; and transmitting said field report messages from said repeater node to said control facility.

Claim 10

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said method additionally comprises steps of: detecting tampering with said field node; and sending a field report message from said field node to said control facility when said tampering is detected to inform said control facility of said tampering.

Claim 11

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said method additionally comprises steps of: sending field report messages from said field node to said control facility from time to time, said field report messages describing current situational status at said area; and annunciating an alarm at said control facility if said current situational status indicates a change from a previous status.

Claim 12

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein: each of said transmitters is included in a detection unit; and said transmitting step includes a step of transmitting status data with said unique code, said status data indicating whether an alarm condition has been detected at said detection unit; and said method additionally comprises steps of: receiving said status data in association with said unique codes at said field node; and initiating said alarm at said field node in response to reception of status data indicating said alarm condition.

Claim 13

A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein: said status data indicating said alarm condition are associated with a particular detection unit; and said method additionally comprises a step of sending a field report message from said field node to said control facility after a predetermined duration has transpired following said initiating step, said field report message informing said control facility of said alarm condition, unless status data received from said particular detection unit within said predetermined duration indicate no alarm condition.

Claim 14

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein: each of said transmitters is included in a detection unit; said transmitting step transmits status data with said unique code for each detection unit, said status data indicating whether an emergency condition has been detected at said detection unit; and said method additionally comprises steps of: receiving said status data at said field node; and sending a field report message from said field node to said control facility in response to reception of status data indicating said emergency condition to inform said control facility of said emergency condition.

Claim 17

A method as claimed in claim 14 additionally comprising a step of sending field report messages from said field node to said control facility from time to time when all said unique codes are received in accordance with said schedule to keep said control facility informed of current situational status at said area.

Claim 18

A method as claimed in claim 14 additionally comprising steps of: detecting tampering with said field node; and sending a field report message from said field node to said control facility when said tampering is detected to inform said control facility of said tampering.

Claim 19

A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said transmitting step includes a step of transmitting status data with said unique code, said status data indicating whether an alarm condition has been detected at said detection unit, said method additionally comprising steps of: receiving said status data in association with said unique codes at said field node; and initiating said alarm at said field node in response to reception of status data indicating said alarm condition.

Claim 20

A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein: said status data indicating said alarm condition are associated with a particular detection unit; and said method additionally comprises a step of sending a field report message from said field node to said control facility after a predetermined duration has transpired following said initiating step, said field report message informing said control facility of said alarm condition, unless status data received from said particular detection unit within said predetermined duration indicate no alarm condition.

Claim 21

A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said transmitting step includes a step of transmitting status data with said unique code for each detection unit, said status data indicating whether an emergency condition has been detected at said detection unit, said method additionally comprising steps of: receiving said status data at said field node; and sending a field report message from said field node to said control facility in response to reception of status data indicating said emergency condition in order to inform said control facility of said emergency condition.

Claim 22

In a system for monitoring a plurality of monitorees in which a detection unit is associated with each monitoree, each detection unit has a unique code associated therewith, and each detection unit is configured to repetitively transmit its unique code from time to time in accordance with a predetermined schedule, a field node, wherein said monitorees and said field node are remotely located relative to a control facility, said field node comprising: a receiver for receiving said unique codes transmitted from said detection units; processing means, coupled to said receiver, for obtaining at least a portion of said unique codes transmitted from said detection units; a memory, coupled to said processor means, for retaining programming instructions defining how said processing means manages operation of said field node and for retaining data identifying said unique codes; alarm means, coupled to said processing means, for indicating when one of said unique codes has not been received in accordance with said schedule; and a transmitter coupled to said processing means, said transmitter for sending a field report message from said field node to said control facility after a predetermined duration has transpired following activation of said alarm means.

Claim 23

In a system for monitoring a plurality of monitorees in which a detection unit is associated with each monitoree, each detection unit has a unique code associated therewith, and each detection unit is configured to repetitively transmit its unique code from time to time in accordance with a predetermined schedule, a field node, wherein said monitorees and said field node are remotely located relative to a control facility, said field node comprising: a receiver for receiving said unique codes transmitted from said detection units; processing means, coupled to said receiver, for obtaining at least a portion of said unique codes transmitted from said detection units; a memory, coupled to said processor means, for retaining programming instructions defining how said processing means manages operation of said field node and for retaining data identifying said unique codes; alarm means, coupled to said processing means, for indicating when one of said unique codes has not been received in accordance with said schedule; and a transmitter coupled to said processing means, said transmitter for sending a field report message from said field node to said control facility after a predetermined duration has transpired following activation of said alarm means.

Claim 24

In a system for monitoring a plurality of monitorees, a field node as claimed in claim 20 wherein said alarm means comprises: an audio transducer, coupled to said processing means, for audibly indicating an alarm; and display means, coupled to said processing means, for visually identifying a monitoree for whom an alarm has been activated.

Claim 25

In a system for monitoring a plurality of monitorees, a field node as claimed in claim 20 wherein said field node is configured to refrain from sending said field report message until said predetermined duration has transpired.

Claim 26

In a system for monitoring a plurality of monitorees, a field node as claimed in claim 20 wherein said transmitter is configured to send field report messages from said field node to said control facility from time to time when all said unique codes are being received in accordance with said schedule to keep said control facility informed of current situational status at said area.

Claim 27

In a system for monitoring a plurality of monitorees, a field node as claimed in claim 20 wherein said monitorees and said field node are located in an area remote to a control facility, and said field node additionally comprises: location determination means coupled to said processing means; and a transmitter, coupled to said processing means, for sending field report messages from said field node to said control facility from time to time, said messages including data describing said location.

Claim 28

In a system for monitoring a plurality of monitorees, a field node as claimed in claim 20 wherein said monitorees and said field node are remotely located relative to a control facility, and said field node additionally comprises: means, coupled to said processing means, for detecting tampering with said field node; and a transmitter, coupled to said processing means, said transmitter for sending a field report message from said field node to said control facility to inform said control facility of tampering detected by said detecting means.

Claim 29

In a system for monitoring a plurality of monitorees wherein each of said detection units transmits status data with its unique code, said status data indicating whether an alarm condition has been detected at said detection unit, a field node as claimed in claim 20 additionally configured to obtain said status data in association with said unique codes and to activate said alarm means in response to reception of status data which indicate said alarm condition.