CA2831534A1 - Locator device primarily for children - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for locating a child or other object includes a badge having a simple flat non-interactive housing for locked attachment to under-clothing requiring a tool for separation and a smart phone operable by a downloadable app. The badge and phone communicate through blue tooth or cell phone and act to determine a distance of separation of the badge and the smart phone and to provide an output warning signal in the event that the distance exceeds a predetermined distance. The badge monitors temperature, heart rate and the connection of the locking device of the badge to the object to generate an alarm signal and wherein an alarm is generated when any two of the three monitored alarm signals is detected.

Description

LOCATOR DEVICE PRIMARILY FOR CHILDREN
This invention relates to a locator device for use for example by children to provide warning in the event that the child goes astray including Parents/Guardians/Hospitals-Dementia, Alzheimer's illnesses of similar nature of which causes them to wander BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Location based products and services are top of mind by multiple organizations. One reason is that private research firms estimates that more than 70 million people across North America and Europe will be using such programs to track family members by 2016. Life360 (trademark) is a major player in this field controlling a good deal of the market. There are a number of other location based applications available; some of these are Securafone, SMS Tracker, Footprints, Mobiflock. All of these devices can be used in Smart Phones.
Current tracking devices used with children are comprised of a hand-held unit such as a toy bear, and a chip attached to the child's shoe or belt, which are used to monitor the location of the child.
These have disadvantages that the tracking device could easily be cut loose. Also the device typically has on-off switch which can easily be turned off.
Others also use GPS or cell phone technologies, and embody the ability to predetermine distance settings.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the invention to provide an improved location device of this general type.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for monitoring and locating a movable object comprising:
a badge having a housing and a locking system for locking the housing to a part of the object, the locking system requiring a tool for separation of the housing from the object.
a smart phone;
a downloadable app for the smart phone providing programing for the monitoring and locating system;
the badge having a communication system for communicating with the smart phone through a communication arrangement;
the smart phone being arranged to determine a distance of separation of the badge and the smart phone and to provide an output warning signal in the event that the distance exceeds a predetermined distance.
Preferably the badge has a locating system for providing a signal indicative of the location of the badge and the smart phone has a locating system for providing a signal indicative of the location of the badge, the smart phone being arranged to determine from said locations a distance of separation of the badge and

3 the smart phone and to provide the output warning signal in the event that the distance exceeds a predetermined distance Preferably the smart phone is arranged to determine from the locations a direction and distance to the badge and to provide a display thereof.
Preferably the housing is arranged to prevent unauthorized deactivation of the badge.
Preferably the predetermined distance can be set on the smart phone to different distances.
Preferably the smart phone is programmed to communicate with a security service center on receipt of an input from the user.
Preferably the smart phone through the app has access to records related to the user to communicate to the security service center details and images of the object.
Preferably the housing is arranged to be locked to under-clothing of a child so as to be hidden and removable from the clothing only by the key/tool.
Preferably the locating systems use GPS.
Preferably the locating systems use cell tower location in the event that the GPS or bluetooth is not available.
Preferably the smart phone and the badge communicate using cell phone technology and the software in the badge and the app in the cellphone.
Preferably the smart phone and the badge communicate using direct wireless transmissions.

4 Preferably the badge uses Bluetooth connectivity for short distances so that a notification is sent to a smart-phone whenever the person wearing the badge goes out of Bluetooth range of the phone as set by the parent/guardian.
Preferably the badge monitors temperature and an alert is sent to the smart phone whenever the temperature is out of the normal range.
The badge may be used to monitor heart rate and an alert is sent to the smart phone whenever the heart rate is out of the normal range or non-existent.
Preferably the badge monitors the connection of the locking device of the badge to the object and sends an alert in the event that the connection is broken or in the event that tampering is detected for example by extension of a spring.
Preferably the badge monitors temperature, heart rate and the connection of the locking device of the badge to the object to generate an alarm signal and wherein an alarm is generated when any two of the three monitored alarm signals is detected. The alarm that is sent is a hard alarm unless only one item is detected in which case a soft (malfunction) alarm is sent.
Preferably the device is not interactive and has no buttons and cannot be opened or tampered with.
Preferably the badge is in a slim line format to be inserted or attached or secured unobtrusively underneath clothing.
Preferably the badge is arranged to be connected using an attachment device which is a mechanical pin with a spring, which when compressed activates the alarm, and lock that penetrates clothing and is only removable with a specialized key.
Preferably the smart phone is programmed to communicate with a security service center on receipt of an input from the user.

5 Preferably the Parent or Guardian has access through the smart phone to records related to the user to communicate from the security service center or 911 service to the authorities details and images of the object.
In most cases the object is a child. However the system may be used for in respect of other objects or persons. Where the tracking is related to a child, the housing is preferably arranged to be locked to under clothing of the child so as to be hidden and removable from the clothing only by the tool. This is not to be used for tracking as it is an alert system to the parent/Guardian that the human has left the area set by the parent/guardian. It will of course locate where the object or persons are if they are not connected and the signal is broken then tracking is used secondary to the alert automatically to find the objects or persons. The parent/guardian is the only one that can turn it off when not in use by using the software (App) in the smart phone which is synced to the firmware in the hardware (device).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

6 Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a system according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of on an enlarged scale of the badge 10 only.
Figure 3 is a block diagram of the badge only.
Figure 4 is an isometric view of the mechanical coupling arrangement of the badge 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In Figure 1 is shown the system for monitoring and locating a movable object, in this case a child. The apparatus includes a first component or badge 10 having a waterproof housing 11 and a locking system 12 for locking the housing to the clothing of the child in the form of a badge and particularly to a hidden area of the clothing such as the under clothing.
In Figure 2 is shown a larger view of the badge 10. This includes a heart rate monitor 1, a body temperature monitor 2, an accelerometer 5 and a monitor 3 for monitoring the clasp or locking system 12 in the form of a pin and hardened spring to ensure that it remains connected. As shown in Figure 4, the device is not interactive and has no buttons or operating elements and cannot be opened or tampered with. The housing thus forms simply a flat disk which attaches simply and unobtrusively underneath outer clothing to an under-clothing garment without any significant projecting elements.

7 The locking system 12 shown in Figure 3 comprises a base plate 12A
which cooperates with a top plate 12B to clamp a layer of fabric therebetween.
The plates are clamped together against unauthorized separation by cooperating components 12C and 120 of a lock 14 which requires a tool or key 13 operable on a lock 14 for separation of the housing from the layer of clothing clamped between the plates.
The apparatus further includes a smart phone 15 with a downloadable app 16 for the smart phone providing programing for the monitoring, alerting and locating system.
The badge 10 and the smart phone each have a locating system as part of a programming 18 of the badge 10 for providing a signal indicative of the location of the badge 10 which can be obtained from a GPS satellite system 20 and/or a tower cell phone system 21.
The badge 10 and the smart phone each have a communication system including antennas 22, 23 for communicating with the smart phone through a communication arrangement such as a satellite or tower based communication system.
The smart phone is programmed by the app 16 to determine from the location signals of the smart phone itself and the signal received from the component 10 a distance of separation of the badge 10 and the smart phone and to provide an output warning signal in the event that the distance exceeds a predetermined distance, which can be set by the user at input 25.

8 In the event that the user is concerned about the location of the component 10 and the object (child) to which it is attached, the smart phone is arranged to determine from the signals a direction and distance to the badge 10 and to provide a display thereof.
The housing 11 is secure to prevent unauthorized deactivation of the badge 10.
The smart phone is programmed to communicate with a security service center 30 through the Internet connections 33 on receipt of an alarm input 28 from the user which can arise where the distance is exceeded or if the user has other concerns. Connection to a web site 34 is also possible through the internet.
The smart phone through the software of the app has access to records in a memory 31 related to the user to communicate to the authorities (police) from the security service center details and images of the child to enable an immediate search.
Preferably the smart phone and the badge 10 communicate use cell phone technology. However the smart phone and the badge 10 can communicate using direct wireless transmissions or other transmission services.
The system thus uses a cell phone as a transceiver. This can be sold as a part of the product, if a purchaser does not already have one, or could be obtained separately.
The Software app is downloaded onto a cell phone from a secure Internet website. The app has the capability using "Blue-tooth" of being pre-set to

9 detect the component 10 or "badge" within a certain distance radius. When a break occurs in the connection between the transceiver and the badge or the signal indicate the distance is exceeded, it sets off a signal through the cell phone transceiver indicating that the child has left the proximity radius set by the holder of the transceiver. Once the child has crossed the pre-set proximity radius, the badge can be operated to activate its internal GPS function. In some arrangements, however, the above stated Blue tooth to automatic GPS transfer is not used.
That is the device is either limited to Bluetooth as a free for all application, or GPS is provided as a paid application. The cell phone use is by application. The Blue Tooth option can be a localized and limited application and GPS tracking and alert receiving can be via an additional application.
The app can now contact the badge through the cellular network and display the direction in which the badge has strayed. It displays an arrow on the cell phone's LCD screen indicating the direction and approximate distance in which the badge is then located. If the transceiver does not connect with the badge 10, the cell phone screen flashes and emits a different sound, alerting the cell phone holder that the child is beyond a certain area. The holder can then press the app icon, alerting law enforcement authorities that the wearer of the badge 10 could be lost or abducted. The software can be arranged to also send an image of the badge wearer to the authorities to further expedite the ultimate location and/or rescue of the wearer. Security services can be arranged to display the badge wearer's relevant information on their cell phone screens located with the security guards en-route or in the area.
The badge 10 shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 is contained in a smooth plastic waterproof casing 10A, along with a re-chargeable battery 40. The battery 5 can be charged using inductive charging technology 41, 43 or by a connection from a USB port controlled by a processor 22. Therefore in some embodiments the case can be made waterproof since there is no connector to the outside, . The case can be worn on the outside of an undergarment. Attached to its flat side is the pin 120 that pushes through the fabric of the garment and then be locked into a clasp by

10 the key 13. That clasp or lock 120 cannot be removed except by means of the tool or key 13 that is included in the packaging for the product. Each badge is given a unique code that is synchronized with the transceiver, so that the signal sent by each pair of transceiver and badge does not interfere with other signals in the area, and so that no other signal in the area will interfere with the signal between the owner's transceiver and badge.
The device can have two different apps that can be downloaded from the Internet, and subscribed for on a monthly basis, either from the owner's website or from a licensed website. Further, this device is unique in that it contains automatic back-up technology. Businesses that sell smart phones can also carry the badge component and receive royalties on the download/subscription to the app. The system is also unique in that it features an app icon that can be pressed, alerting law enforcement authorities such as the 911 service, and that it can send an image of

11 the badge wearer to those authorities. Finally, the system is comprised of components that are designed to resist being removed by anyone other than the keeper of the special tool or key 13 that is uniquely fitted to the clasp on the Badge.
The competition of most products use two cell phones and are focusing on teenagers where the present system uses a badge and a cell phone where the concentration is based on children ages 0-11 years old. There are also other uses of the product s set forth above so that the device is versatile but at this time the focus is on children.
The data that is registered with law enforcement agencies can be maintained on outside "cloud" servers (although not preferred) and can be encrypted and protected.
Although not preferred, the software app can be programmed to work both with GPS and with cell phone technology, so that if the GPS signal is lost, for example in an enclosed space with concrete walls, then the Bluetooth and/or cell phone technology takes over. The monthly fee for using the enhanced app would be greater than the original, GPS-only, version. The badge device worn with the enhanced app will be correspondingly enhanced to receive blue-tooth technology signals.
The product can be used by parents in public venues to monitor the safety of their children, It is expected that the product will deter child abduction, since a potential abductor would be uncertain as to whether the target child is wearing the badge and could therefore be easily traced or caught immediately.

12 The device can also be used by adults in sporting or rescuing operations, for example by those engaged in heli-skiing and other winter sports in which avalanche dangers are present, in spelunking or cave-exploration, or in search-and-rescue operations among rescuers. It can also be used in nursing homes and other residences to monitor the whereabouts of those who have Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Thus sending an alert if they wander out of the premises and can be found and brought back before they hurt themselves.
This could also be used by the military.
The arrangement described herein can use one or more of the following additional features:
a) Bluetooth connectivity for short distances. A
notification is sent to a smart-phone whenever the person wearing the device goes out of Bluetooth range of the phone. Whenever in range of the cell phone, no positioning is required.
None of the other devices offers this service. This is short distance monitoring.
Depending on the service option that was chosen, a cellular module is activated whenever the person wearing the badge moves out of the Bluetooth range. In this case tracking of the person wearing the badge is possible as long as the cellular module is connected to at least three cell towers.
Depending on the service option that was chosen (see below), a GPS
module is activated whenever the person wearing the badge moves out of the Bluetooth range. In this case tracking of the person wearing the badge is possible wherever GPS connectivity and cellular connectivity can be achieved. GPS is used

13 to define the position whereas cellular is used to transmit the positioning data to the smart phone. If GPS does not work (in down-town areas with a lot of tall buildings around), then cellular can be used to estimate the position of the badge. This would be the highest power option that would only be used as a last resort.
a) The badge can includes a sensor 2 which monitors (body) temperature to ensure the person wearing the badge has a normal body temperature. An alert will be sent to the smart phone or web application whenever the temperature is out of the normal range.
b) The badge can monitors heart rate using a sensor 5. An alert will be sent to the smart phone or web application whenever the heart rate is out of the normal range or non-existent.
Conventional units are designed to track the unit itself and not the subject, in this case a human child. The devices, much like any cell phone, presume that the device is together with the subject. However, if the device is removed the targeted subject is lost from tracking and locating.
Any of these known devices including cell phones are easily separated from the targeted subject and in fact are widely known to the criminal element as traceable by GPS. In a crisis situation the devices will be parted from the subject quickly without any trace or alert being sent to the system. It will simply appear to the monitoring system that the subject is stationary.
The device herein adds four additional proprietary technologies to a completely reformed device.

14 All current devices on the market are designed with buttons, colours, changing, screens, interfaces etc. They are designed with form first and function second, or at the least function as best as one can get without ruining the marketing features of the form. The device herein is designed with function over form so that the device is not interactive and has no buttons and cannot be opened or tampered with, users cannot send emails, pictures, play songs and use it as a back pack, teddy bear or necklace.
The device is designed in a slim line badge format to be inserted underneath clothing, children's pants, and teenager's underwear or under the side straps of ladies bras. A place where there is some contact with skin, a place to fasten the device and still be able to make the monitoring statistics. When the device fails a new device must be purchased which is similar to any cell phone but for far less money.
The function innovation which answers the strategic flaw of stationary subjects or devices being parted from the subject are four fold.
a. Heart rate monitor 5;
b. Body temperature monitor 2;
c. Secure locking clasp monitor 3 which is used in case of tampering by prying it apart. The pin is designed to set off an alert at the monitor 3 for the pin has a spring and when compressed it will send an alarm to parent/guardian that someone is trying take the badge apart.
d. Blue Tooth Technology By adding he above, the device is able to triangulate a real threat from a false alarm by using a 2 out of 3 principle; meaning that two of the three conditions must be in violation before an alert is triggered. When that happens this reduces or eliminates stationary uncertainty and clearly resolves the issue of the device being 5 parted from the subject for any reason.
For example: in the event that there is no measured body heat and no measured heart rate but the locking clasp remains engaged an alert is sent. In the event that there is or no heart rate and the locking clasp is broken but the sensor indicates that there is still body heat then an alert is sent. In the event that there is 10 an indication of breaking of the locking clasp, but the heart rate and body heat remain OK, then an emergency alert is not sent and only a soft alert of potential faulty equipment is sent.
Lastly, the innovation that provides for child security without monthly service fees is the usage of Blue Tooth Technology. This technology comes

15 standard in the device and is available free of charge for the short range technology that it is. This technology gives anyone with a device short range tracking features without any monthly fee. A simple online App form on a website can activate the device so that it can be monitored from a cell phone.
The website 34 can also be provided so that users of the device can access and personalize the product to their liking using mapping by GPS and Google. In extreme cases the central control system 30 will be able to turn the

16 Badge 10 at the request of the parent/guardian only with a specific password from the parent/guardian or at the request of law enforcement.
Upon downloading the app from the web site 34, the program will ask the user to take a recent picture and input information of the child or other person which will be sent to secure servers at the memory 31. They information can be encrypted for confidentiality of the clients.
There is also a back-up if one system in that the system is arranged such that if the GPS loses its signal, the Blue Tooth technology automatically turns on. This is the utmost importance to protect information given and stored in the most advanced security driven storage facilities we can find. Cloud servers are one option.
GPS is required for tracking, voice is not. A suitable component for this purpose is the Telit HE910-DG. This 28.2 x 28.2 x 2.2 mm module features a quad band cellular unit with data, no voice and a GPS tracking module. It only needs an antenna for both the GPS and the cellular functions. Another potential component is the Qualcomm chipset that is used by Apple and HTC. This is not as integrated as the Telit solution.
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE or Bluetooth 4.0) is used to communicate with a smart phone. Standard Bluetooth is not included due to the higher power dissipation. Most cell phones will feature Bluetooth 4Ø
There are two options to integrate Bluetooth 4.0 in the device which are either a Bluetooth Low Energy radio transceiver or a Bluetooth Low Energy radio

17 transceiver + microcontroller. For both these options both Texas Instruments and Nordic Semiconductor have a range of options.
For the first option an external microcontroller is included. The advantage is that now a choice can be made regarding the performance level that is required. For the second option, choices are very limited but the space savings are big. It can be either a Bluetooth radio with an ARM Cortex MO or an 8051 core.
An Arm Cortex MO can be powerful enough to communicate with the cellular module, the Bluetooth radio and the accelerometer at the same time. The Nordic nRF51822 or one of the newer TI chips that are under NDA can also be used.
However a Bluetooth radio, a cellular transceiver and a separate microcontroller can be used based on the performance that is required.
For Bluetooth Low Energy, there are options for a PCB antenna or a chip antenna: Chip antennas are generally much smaller, but will have a smaller range. PCB antennas, like the inverted F antenna, can have a much improved efficiency and thus a larger range at the cost of space.
The accelerometer 1 is provided for any movement detection. The ST
LIS2DH is one of the smallest and most cost effective devices in the market.
It can be used to generate an interrupt when the device wakes up or is in free fall.
There are alternatives from Bosch, Murata and Kionix.
The heart rate monitor 5 does not need to be accurate. It just needs to monitor if there is a heart rate or not. This needs to be done without a chest strap.
Instead of a chest strap an Infra-Red (IR) transmitter and receiver can be used that

18 can be put on a finger. An option is to use the accelerometer that is already inside of the device. When the device is mounted close to a vain, signal conditioning can be used to extract the heart rate from the accelerometer data, which is preferable over all other options since no external connections will be required.
Depending on the power consumption of the device, the battery capacity is selected to run for 5 days. A cost efficient, small and reliable Battery technology is Lithium Polymer (LiPo). Also depending on the battery capacity a charger is selected that can recharge an empty battery overnight. Since the device should be waterproof it is preferable to use inductive charging through a charging mat. The charging efficiency is be as high as using a wired connection, but it is much easier to design an enclosure that is waterproof and solid. A wireless charging solution for inside the device can be based on the TI ¨ Bq51050B
A processor pin for the locking clasp mechanism and tamper detect monitor 3 will be used to identify tampering with the locking clasp mechanism.
A
special key is used to release the device from the subject.
One way to detect if the locking clasp is still in place is to use a magnetic clasp. Whenever the clasp magnet (not on the enclosure, but on the clasp) is removed, the change in magnetic field is detected. Uncertainty in this implementation is that the magnetic field can have an effect on the wireless signals transmitted by either the Bluetooth radio or the cellular modem resulting in a smaller useable range and possibly more power dissipation.

19 Another way to implement the tampering function is to use a mechanical clasp. An optical transmitter is used that emits an optical beam (visible or not) through a transparent piece in the enclosure where the clasp is attached.
Whenever the clasp is there, the light is reflected back into the enclosure through the same "window" and detected by an optical receiver. Whenever the clasp is removed, the optical path is broken, no reflection is measured, and thus a tampering signal is generated. A tempered pin can be used with a tempered spring locking into a back plate with a rubber seal to keep it waterproof.
The device is able to measure temperature through a conductive metal part of the enclosure that is in direct contact with the skin. This way body temperature can be measured accurately. Temperature alerts can be generated when the body temperature falls outside of the 32 degrees to 40 degrees range.

Possible device that can be used are the Ti LMT85 or the Microchip MCP9700.
These temperature monitors are 1% accurate and can measure temperatures between -20C and 125C.
The attachment device is a mechanical pin and lock that penetrates clothing and is only removable with a specialized key. This key is unique to the badge it is sold with and has a 100 unit variance pattern randomly dispersed via algorithm for security sake. A second option is the use of a key involving magnets that does not penetrate the clothing.
Important points in this device are the three way threat detection using heart rate, clasp and body temperature or in the case of heart rate an accelerometer. The tracking of the target not just the device and the tamper proof removal detection. The soft support and the blue tooth option are easy low cost ways of user interface benefits that almost anyone can access with little initial cost.

Claims (20)

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for monitoring and locating a movable object comprising:
a badge having a housing and a locking system for locking the housing to a part of the object, the locking system requiring a tool for separation of the housing from the object.
a smart phone;
a downloadable app for the smart phone providing programing for the monitoring and locating system;
the badge having a communication system for communicating with the smart phone through a communication arrangement;
the smart phone being arranged to determine a distance of separation of the badge and the smart phone and to provide an output warning signal in the event that the distance exceeds a predetermined distance.

2. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the badge has a locating system for providing a signal indicative of the location of the badge and the smart phone has a locating system for providing a signal indicative of the location of the badge, the smart phone being arranged to determine from said locations a distance of separation of the badge and the smart phone and to provide the output warning signal in the event that the distance exceeds a predetermined distance

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the smart phone is arranged to determine from the locations a direction and distance to the badge and to provide a display thereof.

4. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the housing is arranged to prevent unauthorized deactivation of the badge.

5. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the predetermined distance can be set on the smart phone to different distances

6. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the smart phone is programmed to communicate with a security service center on receipt of an input from the user.

7. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the smart phone has access to records related to the user to communicate to the security service center details and images of the object.

8. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the housing is arranged to be locked to under-clothing of a child so as to be hidden and removable from the clothing only by the tool.

9. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the locating systems use GPS.

10. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the locating systems use cell tower location in the event that the GPS is not available.

11. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the smart phone and the badge communicate using cell phone technology.

12. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the smart phone and the badge communicate using direct wireless transmissions.

13. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the badge uses Bluetooth connectivity for short distances so that a notification is sent to a smart-phone whenever the person wearing the badge goes out of Bluetooth range of the phone.

14. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the badge monitors temperature and an alert is sent to the smart phone whenever the temperature is out of the normal range.

15. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the badge monitors heart rate and an alert is sent to the smart phone whenever the heart rate is out of the normal range or non-existent.

16. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the badge monitors the connection of the locking device of the badge to the object and sends an alert in the event that the connection is broken.

17. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the badge monitors temperature, heart rate and the connection of the locking device of the badge to the object to generate an alarm signal and wherein an alarm is generated when any two of the three monitored alarm signals is detected.

18. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the device is not interactive and has no buttons and cannot be opened or tampered with.

19. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the badge is in a slim line format to be inserted unobtrusively underneath clothing.

20. The apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the badge is arranged to be connected using an attachment device which is a mechanical pin and lock that penetrates clothing and is only removable with a specialized key.