US6232916B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
GPS restraint system and method for confining a subject within a defined area
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1999-08-31
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Granted: 2001-05-15
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Expires: 2019-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A Global Positioning Satellite (“GPS”)-based restraint system includes a GPS receiver/transmitter for receiving GPS timing signals, a mapping algorithm, a comparator, and a base station receiver. The receiver/transmitter includes a microprocessor for calculating and storing a waypoint. The mapping algorithm calculates a mapped programmed confinement area from a plurality of waypoints obtained along the perimeter of the physical confinement area, and the comparator provides an output comparing the present position of the receiver/transmitter with the programmed confinement area. The comparator output is transmitted as an output signal by the receiver/transmitter to the base station receiver and the position of the subject is monitored while the receiver/transmitter is attached to the subject. The restraint system also includes deterrent means for administering a deterrent to the subject that can be used either in lieu of or with the base station receiver. The deterrent means is attached to the subject and is preferably part of the GPS receiver/transmitter. The comparator output is then selectively input to the deterrent means to administer the deterrent to the subject. The GPS restraint system of the invention is readily transportable and can be remapped in a new location or to reconfigure an existing confinement area. Reinstallation costs associated with wire perimeter systems are eliminated by the present invention. The GPS-based restraint system is not subject to the blackout areas of other systems, and it provides accurate and reliable confinement boundaries for restraining a subject within the selected confinement area.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony Grillo
- 👤 John P. Veschi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:51
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K15/00; A01K15/02; A01K15/021; A01K15/023; G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/28; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S119/00; Y10S119/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A GPS-based restraint system for monitoring a position of a subject relative to a physical confinement area having a perimeter, comprising: (a) a GPS receiver/transmitter for receiving GPS timing signals, said receiver/transmitter including a microprocessor for calculating and storing a waypoint; (b) a mapping algorithm for calculating a mapped programmed confinement area from a plurality of waypoints input into the receiver/transmitter; (c) a comparator for providing an output comparing a present position of the receiver/transmitter with the programmed confinement area, said output suitable for transmission by the receiver/transmitter; and (d) a base station receiver for receiving the output transmitted by the receiver/transmitter, wherein the position of the subject is monitored when the receiver/transmitter is attached to the subject.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A GPS-based restraint system for monitoring a position of a subject relative to a physical confinement area having a perimeter, comprising: (a) a GPS receiver/transmitter for receiving GPS timing signals, said receiver/transmitter including a microprocessor for calculating and storing a waypoint; (b) a mapping algorithm for calculating a mapped programmed confinement area from a plurality of waypoints input into the receiver/transmitter; (c) a comparator for providing an output comparing a present position of the receiver/transmitter with the programmed confinement area, said output suitable for transmission by the receiver/transmitter; and (d) a base station receiver for receiving the output transmitted by the receiver/transmitter, wherein the position of the subject is monitored when the receiver/transmitter is attached to the subject.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 1 , wherein at least some of the waypoints are obtained along the perimeter of the physical confinement area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor includes means for calculating the speed and direction of travel of the subject.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 1 , wherein the subject is a parolee or individual on house arrest.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to monitor a plurality of subjects.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 5 , wherein the subjects are parolees or individuals on house arrest.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A GPS-based restraint system for restraining a subject within a confinement area having a perimeter, comprising: (a) a GPS receiver/transmitter for receiving GPS timing signals, said receiver/transmitter including a microprocessor for calculating and storing a waypoint; (b) a mapping algorithm for calculating a mapped programmed confinement area from a plurality of waypoints input into the receiver/transmitter; (c) a comparator for providing an output comparing a present position of the receiver/transmitter with the programmed confinement area, said output suitable for transmission by the receiver/transmitter; and (d) deterrent means responsive to said output for administering a deterrent to the subject.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
A GPS-based restraint system for restraining a subject within a confinement area having a perimeter, comprising: (a) a GPS receiver/transmitter for receiving GPS timing signals, said receiver/transmitter including a microprocessor for calculating and storing a waypoint; (b) a mapping algorithm for calculating a mapped programmed confinement area from a plurality of waypoints input into the receiver/transmitter; (c) a comparator for providing an output comparing a present position of the receiver/transmitter with the programmed confinement area, said output suitable for transmission by the receiver/transmitter; and (d) deterrent means responsive to said output for administering a deterrent to the subject.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 7 , wherein at least some of the waypoints are obtained along the perimeter of the physical confinement area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as in claim 8 , wherein the deterrent means includes means for increasing the strength of the deterrent as the subject approaches the perimeter and for decreasing the strength of the deterrent as the subject moves away from the perimeter while inside the confinement area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as in claim 7 , wherein the subject is a canine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 10 , wherein the receiver/transmitter is part of a collar to be worn by the canine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 7 , wherein the deterrent means comprises electrodes and charging means for charging the electrodes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
135 words
A GPS-based restraint system for restraining a subject within a physical confinement area having a perimeter, comprising: (a) first receiving and transmitting means for receiving GPS timing signals, said first receiving and transmitting means including processing means for calculating and storing a waypoint; (b) mapping means for calculating a programmed mapped confinement area from a plurality of waypoints input into the first receiving and transmitting means; (c) comparing means for providing an output comparing the present position of the first receiving and transmitting means with the programmed mapped confinement area, said output suitable for transmission by the first receiving and transmitting means; and (d) second receiving means for receiving the output transmitted by the receiver/transmitter, wherein the position of the subject is monitored when the first receiving and transmitting means is attached to the subject.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
135 words
A GPS-based restraint system for restraining a subject within a physical confinement area having a perimeter, comprising: (a) first receiving and transmitting means for receiving GPS timing signals, said first receiving and transmitting means including processing means for calculating and storing a waypoint; (b) mapping means for calculating a programmed mapped confinement area from a plurality of waypoints input into the first receiving and transmitting means; (c) comparing means for providing an output comparing the present position of the first receiving and transmitting means with the programmed mapped confinement area, said output suitable for transmission by the first receiving and transmitting means; and (d) second receiving means for receiving the output transmitted by the receiver/transmitter, wherein the position of the subject is monitored when the first receiving and transmitting means is attached to the subject.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 13 , wherein at least some of the waypoints are obtained along the perimeter of the physical confinement area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as in claim 13 , wherein the processing means includes means for indicating the direction of travel of the subject.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 13 , wherein the subject is a parolee or individual on house arrest.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 13 , wherein the system is configured to monitor a plurality of subjects.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as in claim 13 , wherein the first receiving and transmitting means further includes a differential GPS receiver for receiving a correction signal transmitted by a beacon station.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for monitoring the position of a subject relative to a confinement area having a perimeter, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a GPS receiver/transmitter having a microprocessor; (b) providing a mapping algorithm; (c) receiving GPS timing signals with the receiver/transmitter and calculating with the microprocessor a waypoint at each of a plurality of locations along the perimeter; (d) inputting the waypoints into the mapping algorithm to calculate a programmed mapped confinement area; (e) attaching the receiver/transmitter to the subject; and (f) providing a comparator and comparing the present position of the subject with the programmed mapped confinement area to calculate an output indicating the position of the subject relative to the confinement area.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for monitoring the position of a subject relative to a confinement area having a perimeter, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a GPS receiver/transmitter having a microprocessor; (b) providing a mapping algorithm; (c) receiving GPS timing signals with the receiver/transmitter and calculating with the microprocessor a waypoint at each of a plurality of locations along the perimeter; (d) inputting the waypoints into the mapping algorithm to calculate a programmed mapped confinement area; (e) attaching the receiver/transmitter to the subject; and (f) providing a comparator and comparing the present position of the subject with the programmed mapped confinement area to calculate an output indicating the position of the subject relative to the confinement area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 19 , wherein the output is transmitted to a base station receiver.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 19 , wherein the output is input to a means for administering a deterrent.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 19 , further including the step of actuating an alarm when the output indicates the subject is within a selected approach distance of the perimeter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 19 , further including the step of actuating an alarm when the output indicates the subject is outside the confinement area.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 19 , further comprising the steps of reprogramming the receiver/transmitter by repeating steps (b) through (f) for the desired confinement area.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as in claim 19 , further including the steps of: a) computing the speed and direction of travel of the subject with the microprocessor; and b) providing a signal to the base station receiver indicating the speed and direction of travel of the subject.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 19 , wherein the subject is a parolee or individual on house arrest.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 19 , further comprising the step of monitoring the location of a number of subjects.
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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) | 2004-05-14 | 2004-11-13 | 2005-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-14 | 2008-11-13 | 2009-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-14 | 2012-11-13 | 2013-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |