US6317049B1 — Apparatus and method for locating missing persons…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 128 words

A method for locating a missing person, animal, or object, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a transponder having an access code that identifies said transponder, said transponder configured to receive an interrogation radio signal and transmit a response radio signal, said transponder transmitting said response radio signal in response to receiving said interrogation radio signal if said interrogation radio signal includes a code matching said access code; (b) determining said access code corresponding to said transponder; (c) transmitting said interrogation radio signal including said access code from a transmitter located aboard an Earth-orbiting satellite; (d) receiving said response radio signal; (e) measuring a Doppler shift in frequency of said response radio signal; and (f) calculating a position of said transponder based on said Doppler shift.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 128 words

A method for locating a missing person, animal, or object, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a transponder having an access code that identifies said transponder, said transponder configured to receive an interrogation radio signal and transmit a response radio signal, said transponder transmitting said response radio signal in response to receiving said interrogation radio signal if said interrogation radio signal includes a code matching said access code; (b) determining said access code corresponding to said transponder; (c) transmitting said interrogation radio signal including said access code from a transmitter located aboard an Earth-orbiting satellite; (d) receiving said response radio signal; (e) measuring a Doppler shift in frequency of said response radio signal; and (f) calculating a position of said transponder based on said Doppler shift.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of repeating steps (c) through (f) to determine the rate of change of said Doppler shift in frequency in said response radio signal.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of repeating steps (c) through (f) from satellites in a low to medium Earth orbiting constellation.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein said interrogation radio signal is limited to a known position above the surface of the Earth.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein said response radio signal includes a status code.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein further comprising the steps of sending an access code to said satellite and receiving said position from said satellite.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 64 words

A transponder adapted for connection to a hand-held device, said transponder comprising: means for storing an identification access code; means for receiving an interrogation radio signal; and means for transmitting a response radio signal to an Earth-orbiting satellite, said transponder transmitting said response radio signal in response to receiving said interrogation radio signal if said radio signal includes a code matching said access code.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 64 words

A transponder adapted for connection to a hand-held device, said transponder comprising: means for storing an identification access code; means for receiving an interrogation radio signal; and means for transmitting a response radio signal to an Earth-orbiting satellite, said transponder transmitting said response radio signal in response to receiving said interrogation radio signal if said radio signal includes a code matching said access code.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

The transponder of claim 7 , further comprising means for connecting said transponder to a battery to power said hand-held device.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 14 words

The transponder of claim 7 , wherein said transponder is integral to said battery.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 32 words

The transponder of claim 6 , further comprising means for inputting a status code specifying the nature of an emergency and means for incorporating said status code into said response radio signal.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 110 words

A monitoring station comprising: a database for storing data regarding a plurality of transponders; and a first communication system configured to communicate with one or more Earth-orbiting satellites, said satellites configured to send interrogation signals to a transponder, said transponder configured to receive and reply to said interrogation signals; a second communication system, said communication system configured to provide a client with data regarding a location of said transponder; and a data processing system, said data processing system configured to: determine said location of said transponder on an event basis; determine said location of said transponder on a monitored basis; and respond to status information embedded in said response signal.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 110 words

A monitoring station comprising: a database for storing data regarding a plurality of transponders; and a first communication system configured to communicate with one or more Earth-orbiting satellites, said satellites configured to send interrogation signals to a transponder, said transponder configured to receive and reply to said interrogation signals; a second communication system, said communication system configured to provide a client with data regarding a location of said transponder; and a data processing system, said data processing system configured to: determine said location of said transponder on an event basis; determine said location of said transponder on a monitored basis; and respond to status information embedded in said response signal.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 17 words

The monitoring station of claim 11 , wherein said interrogation signals and said response signals are encrypted.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The monitoring station of claim 12 , further comprising a display for displaying said location of said transponder.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The monitoring station of claim 11 , wherein said data processing system is further configured to produce billing information.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 31 words

The monitoring station of claim 11 , wherein said status information signal comprises biometric data about an individual, said data processing system further configured to identify anomalies in said biometric data.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

The monitoring station of claim 11 , wherein said monitoring station further includes a data archival storage system for storing information from said transponder.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 38 words

The monitoring station of claim 16 , wherein said archival data storage system instructs said second communication system to send a message to said client upon the occurrence of a predetermined selective event as determined by said client.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 31 words

The monitoring station of claim 11 , wherein said monitoring station comprises a display configured to show data from said transponder, said display configured to show alphanumeric characters and graphical maps.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 30 words

The monitoring station of claim 18 wherein said display comprises a multi-color, graphical map display showing a global view of movement of said transponder over an extended period of time.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 28 words

The monitoring station of claim 11 , wherein said data processing system is further configured to generate a warning announcement when said transponder is outside a prescribed area.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 158 words

A method of remotely and interactively communication with an monitoring the location of a transponder comprising the steps of: establishing a monitoring station for maintaining location, and other data with respect to said transponder; and transmitting location and condition information from said transponder to said monitoring station by inputting information to a transponder worn by said individual, transmitting said information by said transponder to a satellite, and relaying said information by said satellite to said monitoring station; broadcasting interrogations by said monitoring station for receipt and relay by said satellite to said transponder, said transponder alerting said individual to the receipt of said interrogations; providing at least one microcontroller in said transponder which supports a continuous monitoring of interrogations, alarm conditions, and data from a micro electromechanical sensor; and providing at least one microprocessor in said transponder which supports accumulating said data for transmission and sending said data as a single compressed data packet to said monitoring station.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 158 words

A method of remotely and interactively communication with an monitoring the location of a transponder comprising the steps of: establishing a monitoring station for maintaining location, and other data with respect to said transponder; and transmitting location and condition information from said transponder to said monitoring station by inputting information to a transponder worn by said individual, transmitting said information by said transponder to a satellite, and relaying said information by said satellite to said monitoring station; broadcasting interrogations by said monitoring station for receipt and relay by said satellite to said transponder, said transponder alerting said individual to the receipt of said interrogations; providing at least one microcontroller in said transponder which supports a continuous monitoring of interrogations, alarm conditions, and data from a micro electromechanical sensor; and providing at least one microprocessor in said transponder which supports accumulating said data for transmission and sending said data as a single compressed data packet to said monitoring station.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 191 words

A system for locating and monitoring an individual comprising: a monitoring station for maintaining location information and other data regarding said individual; and a transponder worn by said individual in a manner for conveniently receiving medical and other information inputted directly from said individual, said transponder configured to communicate with a satellite for transmitting said information to said monitoring station, said satellite configured to collect data used to determine the location of said transponder, said transponder including vibratory annunciator means for alerting said individual to receipt of a signal from said monitoring station, said transponder worn by said individual in a manner to permit convenient access to input and receive information, said transponder further comprising buttons for initiating transmittal of emergency conditions representing different types of emergencies including “lost”, “medical”, and “abducted”, said transponder further comprising a pressure sensitive actuator for initiating an alarm signal to be sent to said monitoring station, said transponder further comprising one or more biometric sensors for obtaining biometric data from said individual, said transponder configured to initiate the transmission of an emergency condition in the event that an anomaly is detected in said biometric data.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 191 words

A system for locating and monitoring an individual comprising: a monitoring station for maintaining location information and other data regarding said individual; and a transponder worn by said individual in a manner for conveniently receiving medical and other information inputted directly from said individual, said transponder configured to communicate with a satellite for transmitting said information to said monitoring station, said satellite configured to collect data used to determine the location of said transponder, said transponder including vibratory annunciator means for alerting said individual to receipt of a signal from said monitoring station, said transponder worn by said individual in a manner to permit convenient access to input and receive information, said transponder further comprising buttons for initiating transmittal of emergency conditions representing different types of emergencies including “lost”, “medical”, and “abducted”, said transponder further comprising a pressure sensitive actuator for initiating an alarm signal to be sent to said monitoring station, said transponder further comprising one or more biometric sensors for obtaining biometric data from said individual, said transponder configured to initiate the transmission of an emergency condition in the event that an anomaly is detected in said biometric data.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-11-12	2005-05-14	2005-11-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-11-12	2009-05-14	2009-11-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-11-12	2013-05-14	2013-11-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus and method for locating missing persons, animals, and objects

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