US5905461A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Global positioning satellite tracking device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1997-12-08
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Granted: 1999-05-18
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Expires: 2017-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A global positioning and tracking system for locating one of a person and item of property. The global positioning and tracking system comprises at least one tracking device for connection to the one of the person and item of property including a processing device for determining a location of the tracking device and generating a position signal and a transmitter for transmitting said position signal. The position signal is transmitted to a relay station strategically positioned about a desired monitoring area. The relay station includes a device for receiving the positional signal and determining if the received position signal is a valid signal and a device for relaying the position signal upon determining the position signal is valid to a central monitoring station. The central monitoring station receives the validated positional signal from the relay station and analyzes the position signal for monitoring the position of the tracking device. The system may also include a tracking satellite for receiving the validated position signal from the relay station and re-transmitting the position signal to the central monitoring station when the central monitoring station is located outside the transmission range of the relay station.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy J Neher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S19/00; G01S19/01; G01S19/13; G01S19/14; G01S19/16; G01S19/35; G01S5/00; G01S5/0009; G01S5/0018; G01S5/0027; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/0202; G08B21/028; G08B21/0288; G08B21/18; G08B21/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
301 words
A global positioning and tracking system for locating a person, said global positioning and tracking system comprising: a) a tracking device for connection to said person including a processing device for determining a location of the tracking device and generating a position signal and a transmitter for transmitting said position signal; b) at least one relay station strategically positioned about a desired monitoring area including means for receiving said position signal and determining if said received position signal is a valid signal and means for relaying said position signal upon determining said position signal is valid; c) central monitoring station for receiving said validated position signal from said at least one relay station and analyzing said position signal for monitoring a position of said tracking device; d) said tracking device being mounted within a decorative face plate forming part of a wrist band, first and second bands of rigid inflexible material extending from opposite sides of said face plate forming a loop for surrounding the wrist of a user, the free end of one band includes a pair of prong shafts for locking the two bands together, one of said bands having a hinged section extending from the free end thereof; and e) said decorative face plate having embedded therein said processing device, a transmission wire extending from one end of said face plate through said first and second bands to the opposite end of said face plate for completing the circuit in said processing device so that when said first and second bands are apart said tracking unit is nonfunctional and when said first and second bands are engaged said tracking unit is functional, and said wrist band including the decorative face plate and bands being free of any electronic display said device lacking any visible indication of its function.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
301 words
A global positioning and tracking system for locating a person, said global positioning and tracking system comprising: a) a tracking device for connection to said person including a processing device for determining a location of the tracking device and generating a position signal and a transmitter for transmitting said position signal; b) at least one relay station strategically positioned about a desired monitoring area including means for receiving said position signal and determining if said received position signal is a valid signal and means for relaying said position signal upon determining said position signal is valid; c) central monitoring station for receiving said validated position signal from said at least one relay station and analyzing said position signal for monitoring a position of said tracking device; d) said tracking device being mounted within a decorative face plate forming part of a wrist band, first and second bands of rigid inflexible material extending from opposite sides of said face plate forming a loop for surrounding the wrist of a user, the free end of one band includes a pair of prong shafts for locking the two bands together, one of said bands having a hinged section extending from the free end thereof; and e) said decorative face plate having embedded therein said processing device, a transmission wire extending from one end of said face plate through said first and second bands to the opposite end of said face plate for completing the circuit in said processing device so that when said first and second bands are apart said tracking unit is nonfunctional and when said first and second bands are engaged said tracking unit is functional, and said wrist band including the decorative face plate and bands being free of any electronic display said device lacking any visible indication of its function.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one relay station is able to transmit said validated position signal over a predetermined range and said system further comprises a tracking satellite for receiving said validated position signal from said at least one relay station and re-transmitting said position signal to said central monitoring station when said central monitoring station is located outside the transmission range of said at least one relay station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 2, wherein said at least one relay station comprises a plurality of relay stations strategically positioned about said desired monitoring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 3, wherein said system further comprises a plurality of tracking devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of tracking devices is in the form of a wristband for connection about a persons wrist.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 5, wherein said plurality of tracking devices each include a unique identification signal, said identification signal being transmitted to said plurality of relay stations with said position signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 6, wherein said plurality of relay stations each include a data base for storing identification codes of all of said plurality of tracking devices, said identification codes received from said plurality of tracking devices being compared to said identification codes stored in said data base for determining if the received position signal is valid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 7, wherein said plurality of tracking devices each further include a memory for storing said unique identification code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 8, wherein each of said plurality of tracking devices include a means for generating a distress signal for transmission to said central monitoring unit upon activation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of tracking devices further include a switch for activating said means for generating a distress signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 9, wherein said means for generating a distress signal is activated when said tracking device is cut open.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The global positioning and tracking system as recited in claim 9, wherein said desired monitoring area is the entire earth.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
311 words
The method of tracking continuously the location of a child utilizing a global positioning and tracking system comprising the steps of: a) placing a wrist band containing a tracking device on the wrist of said child which is lacking of any visible indication of its function, said tracking device including a processing device for determining the location of the tracking device and generating a position signal and a transmitter for transmitting said position signal; b) strategically positioning a relay station about a desired monitoring area including means for receiving said position signal and determining if said received position signal is a valid signal and means for relaying said position signal upon determining said position signal is valid; c) establishing a tracking satellite for receiving the validated position signal from said tracking device and retransmitting said position signal; c) establishing a central monitoring station for receiving said validated position signal from said relay station or said tracking satellite and analyzing said position signal for monitoring the position of said tracking device; d) said wrist band comprising a decorative face plate, first and second bands of rigid inflexible material extending from opposite sides of said face plate forming a loop for surrounding the wrist of a user, the free end of one band includes a pair of prong shafts for locking the two bands together, one of said bands having a hinged section extending from the free end thereof; and e) said decorative face plate having embedded therein said processing device, a transmission wire extending from one end of said face plate through said first and second bands to the opposite end of said face plate for completing the circuit in said processing device so that when said first and second bands are apart said tracking unit is nonfunctional and when said first and second bands are engaged said tracking unit is functional.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
311 words
The method of tracking continuously the location of a child utilizing a global positioning and tracking system comprising the steps of: a) placing a wrist band containing a tracking device on the wrist of said child which is lacking of any visible indication of its function, said tracking device including a processing device for determining the location of the tracking device and generating a position signal and a transmitter for transmitting said position signal; b) strategically positioning a relay station about a desired monitoring area including means for receiving said position signal and determining if said received position signal is a valid signal and means for relaying said position signal upon determining said position signal is valid; c) establishing a tracking satellite for receiving the validated position signal from said tracking device and retransmitting said position signal; c) establishing a central monitoring station for receiving said validated position signal from said relay station or said tracking satellite and analyzing said position signal for monitoring the position of said tracking device; d) said wrist band comprising a decorative face plate, first and second bands of rigid inflexible material extending from opposite sides of said face plate forming a loop for surrounding the wrist of a user, the free end of one band includes a pair of prong shafts for locking the two bands together, one of said bands having a hinged section extending from the free end thereof; and e) said decorative face plate having embedded therein said processing device, a transmission wire extending from one end of said face plate through said first and second bands to the opposite end of said face plate for completing the circuit in said processing device so that when said first and second bands are apart said tracking unit is nonfunctional and when said first and second bands are engaged said tracking unit is functional.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-05-17 | 2002-11-16 | 2003-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-17 | 2006-11-16 | 2007-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-17 | 2010-11-16 | 2011-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |