GB2424149A

GB2424149A - Wireless security system for tracking an individual

Info

Publication number: GB2424149A
Application number: GB0526085A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Kielty Bell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-07
Filing date: 2005-12-21
Publication date: 2006-09-13
Also published as: GB0504667D0; GB0526085D0

Abstract

A portable security system carried by a user comprises a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, operating in conjunction with a portable unit (C). The user, for example a child or elderly person, may press a panic button (B) on the unit, or a panic button (D) on the RF transmitter, to send a data signal indicating the location of the user to an authorised party such as a parent or call centre. The data may be received via a mobile phone voice or text message, or displayed on a web page. The authorised party has the facility to request location data from the portable unit. The location of the user is determined by a GPS module in the portable unit, which preferably receives Almanac and Ephemeris data from a webserver to shorten the time taken to obtain GPS location data. The RF transmitter may be linked to the portable unit using an 'RF leash' feature, so that if they are separated by more than a specified distance an alarm signal containing location data is automatically sent to the authorised party.

Description

Kidcontact/Easylocate security communicator Aka Personal Security Alarm

System (PSAS) The invention relates to a security communicator that may be carried by an individual and a. used to transmit a signal through mobile communications devices to an authorized party (say a parent), and b. allow that authorized party to locate the invention by dialing its telecommunications number and/or security code, and c. allow a customizable tracking of the hardware device through an interaction with an appropriately software supported webserver/website on the Internet.

This invention is a two way system. By dialing a given number on their home phone or mobile, an authorized party (say, the parents of a child using the device) will be able to receive a relatively exact fix (street name intersection or better) in virtually real time for that child user's hardware unit, while within seconds that same location will be displayed to the same authorized parties encrypted webpage on the system's webserver. The child - if feeling threatened or in any way wanting to call out to their parents - will be able to press a "panic", "alert" or "call button" on the unit and/or on a device coupled electronically by RF or Bluetooth or any similarly functioning remote to the main unit, The Communicator, which will cause the communicator to send by GSM/GPRS, SMS or any other appropriate over the air electronic communications system the data relating to the location of the hardware unit at the time of pressing that button.

The above functions are not limited to children but may be used by anyone wishing to use this system, including persons wishing to protect assets such as automobiles, trucks, buses, boats, light aircraft, mobile storage containers, etc. 1. The Communicator.

Incorporates an interface device that will read the location of the invention from the GPS receiver and when triggered command the communicator to connect through the cell telephone system using GSM/GPRS and/or SMS to a phone number programmed into the "communicator" memory chip and/or onto the Communicator's SIM card so that the data relating to time and position (the "fix") collected by the GPS may be efficiently relayed to the webserver/website.

2. The webserver/webafte.

This Internet website allows - through specially written software programs - the data sent from the hardware device (The Communicator) to show that data on WebPages so that it is readable both as a fix showing time and location as well as any other gathered from the GPS information and also as a map showing that location information. The webserver software will also allow user clients of the system to customize their unit's interaction with the webserver to create a variety of options.

These options will include but not be limited by such options as "Geofencing", changing the number of locations (fixes) requested by the webserver software from the Communicator unit each minute, hour or day or requests for a location directly from the webserver or from an authorized third party making such request either through the webserver or directly to the Communicator unit, or for the webserver to contact - by GPRS or SMS or any other over the air voice or message service - any number of third parties (such as parents, police or emergency services) should the communicator unit send a panic or alert signal to the webserver.

Agreements will be established with reputable mapping servers to electronically provide appropriate mapping to the webserver.

Further agreements will offer clients an enhanced monitoring service by establishing Call Centers where the data from the monitoring service may be acted upon on a 24 hour basis.

END 2..

Key to drawings: Drawing 1/2: A. Battery charging point. Unit can operate on 12V and br rechargeable battery installed in unit.

B. "Panic" button. Unit may be triggered (to send GPS location data) by pressing this button one or more times. Note unit may also be triggered by the RF remote "D" and also from an authorised remote computer and/or celiphone or landline phone) requesting location of the unit.

C. The overall communicator unit which comprises GPS module, GSMIGPRS module as well as all other components required for functioning of device.

D. RF remote "panic" button which may also be Velcro or otherwise temporarily fixed to the communicator unit.

E. SIM card F. Variety of LED's to show battery status, acquisition of GPS and GSM signals and RF remote readiness.

G. Microphone H. Speaker p.....

Drawing2/2: ::*: A. RF remote which when removed at specific distance from communicator unit automatically triggers that unit to send GPS location data via GSM/GPRS to * : remote computer and/or cellphone. * : : B. Communicator unit as shown in Drawing 1/2 above.

C. Web server comprising Registration server, Base Station, Message handler, , *** Communication server, SMS Gateway service, Ring service. p **** D. PC and/or PDA or any device capable of receiving transmitted data from the * : webserver in "C" above. S. E. Cellphone

Claims

KidcontactlEasylocate security communicator Aka Personal Security Alarm

System (PSAS) CLAIMS: I. A personal security alarm system (PSAS) which combines a radio frequency transmitter 1, worn or carried by the user which works in conjunction with a main unit also carried by the user, 2. Both the RF transmitter and the main unit each have buttons which if pressed activate the main unit to take a time and location geographical "fix" on the main unit through the use of the Global Positioning Satellite System and send that data by means of cell phone networks (GSM) to a defined recipient such as an Internet webserver, 3 and onwards through the Internet to a Personal Computer, 4 or through phone service providers to a mobile phone, 5. The alarm can also be directly or indirectly activated by a defined alarm recipient of the data, 5, so that they may request a time and location "fix" from the alarm. Direct access is through voice and! or text message from a defined alarm recipient of the data to the alarm; indirect is through the intennediary of an Internet website, 3, and or a call centre routed through the website.
2. A PSAS as defined in Claim 1 which is activated in the following manner - a SIM card chosen for use with the main unit is placed into a conventional cellphone and the phone numbers required for the main unit to be able to contact the inventions web server are written into the SJM card memory. It is necessary to enter the full telephone number (including country code) of the inventions system and identify this as "System Server". The user must register to the inventions webserver, pay the registration fee and subscription fee against the choice of operational options available. These are shown as tick boxes on the inventions website.
3. A PSAS as defined in Claims 1 and 2 wherein once the unit is registered, the webserver will know where the unit is located and will send via GSM/GPRS both Almanac and Ephemeris data to help the unit's GPS module to quickly (in seconds) get a "fix" (i.e. current location of the unit). During this start-up time, the main unit should be placed stationary either outdoors or if in a place of high GPS signal attenuation such as a stone, concrete or brick building, near a window. Once the unit has its primary fix it can be moved and is ready for use. The unit will now know its location even when indoors and will be ready to either send that information by pushing the "panic button" on the unit or by responding to a request sent to it over the air from an authorised cell phone or from the invention's webserver.
4. A PSAS as defined above wherein the RF remote may be linked to the main unit. This is done by placing both devices within a few centimetres of each other and scrolling on the main unit to "Ann RF leash", then pressing the centre scroll button, 6. The recognition of being linked is shown on the display as reading "acquiring" and then "leash OK". If the units are then subsequently separated by more than 5 meters an automatic "forced" (panic) signal will be sent from the main unit to the parent's authorised cell phone via the inventions

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webserver where when sent, the main unit's location can both be displayed as a map on the Internet as well as sending the decoded street address to (any) authorised celiphones (more than one celiphone can be contacted).
5. A PSAS as defined above wherein once the RF remote is linked to the main unit not only will an automatic signal be sent if the RF leash is "broken" (i.e. removed more than 5 meters away) but a signal can be initiated from the RF remote. This signal is initiated by either by pressing a small button on the RF remote (shows as "forced" on the inventions webserver display) or by distancing the two units more than 5 meters from each other. Both units are left running once started up until necessary to charge the batteries (100 hours on the main unit with normal use: several months on the RF remote). Charging can be conducted while the unit is switched "on" - in which case the main unit continues to know where it is located. If the unit is switched "off" or switches itself off due to the batteiy being discharged, the main unit must be re-started once again as described above.
6. A PSAS as defined above wherein once the RF remote has sent a signal to the main unit as a result of the "leash" being broken, both units must be placed together once again and the acquiring process re-established. However, the RF remote will not need to be reset if only the RF panic button has been pressed.
7. A PSAS as defined above wherein the main unit will continue to accurately (within 5 - 10 meters) be able to get a fix within a few seconds after being woken from sleep mode. The unit automatically goes into sleep mode after every fix in order to conserve battery life however the GSMJGPRS module within the unit will be active and be able to receive/send data all the time the unit is switched on - just like an ordinary cell phone. It is this ability of the unit to take and store data (Almanac and Ephemeris) in its memory until needed by the GPS module that allows for a fast and accurate start and time to fix of the main unit. The Almanac data is automatically updated from the invention's webserver every few days and the Ephemeris data every few hours - this is automatic and continuous for as long as the main unit is switched on.

The means by which this is effected is through the use of SMS or GPRS or any such method of data phone service communication. This method of data communication "over the air" means that an essential part of the invention is the setup and operation of "Base Stations".
8. A PSAS as defined above wherein Base Stations will be located at different points about the Earth so that they can collect and relay data to the inventions web server. This relay again uses SMS or GPRS or any such method of data phone service communication as the method for sending data. The relayed data relates to the actual GPS satellite transmissions that can be collected at any given hour by the Base Station. As the Earth revolves in relation to the UPS transmitting satellites this data is constantly changing. A requirement of the invention will be that Base Stations are setup about the Earth's surface so that so that a large surface diameter can be covered by each Base Station.
9. A PSAS as defined above wherein the default setting for automatically taking fixes is aimed at one fix every 12 minutes or 500 fixes on one fully charged battery. These fixes are not sent to the webserver (unless specifically requested) but are stored on the internal memory of the main unit. This constant updating each 12 minutes (day and night) means that the GPS module is kept in a "warm" state and can then take and send a forced or panic signal or respond to a request for fix from an authorised celiphone or the invention's webseiver within seconds. The internal memory of the unit can hold several thousand fixes (together with atomic clock time of fix accurate to one second) before needing to be uploaded to the inventions webserver. The upload is only done if requested (in the customisation by the client of the webserver) otherwise all stored data in the unit is deleted over the air at customer defined time periods.
10. A PSAS as defined above wherein the unit can be used in a vehicle where the unit's internal battery is supplemented by the vehicle battery. In this configuration up to several thousand fixes can be taken before economically sending that data in one short burst via SMS or GPRS or any other means of data communication to the inventions webserver.
11. A PSAS as defined above wherein if the unit is unable to take a fix due to their being insufficient GPS signal (i.e. cannot get more than three satellites due to attenuation of the building structure such as may happen indoors) the unit will hold the last valid fix as being most accurate and will send this data together with actual time if required by RF "forced", main unit "panic" or response to a request from the invention's webserver are instigated.
12. A PSAS as defined above wherein a customisat ion service is available to the user of the PSAS and which is initiated at registration of the unit on the inventions webserver. The customisation service includes remote control through the Internet of the invention user's individual webpage. This webpage will contain tick boxes wherein the user can regulate the service they require from the PSAS. This may include but is not limited to frequency of automatic fixes, geofencing, use of GPRS andlor SMS for data transfer, appearance of their location marker or markers on mapping displayed through the Internet on their PC, PDA, cellphone or any other means of receiving and displaying such data through phone service providers.
13. A PSAS as defined above wherein the invention's webserver has integral parts which include but are not limited to a Registration Server, a Base Station, a Message Handler, a Communication Server, an SMS Gateway Service, a Ring Service, a Web Server and Web Application.
14. A PSAS as defined above wherein the invention's main unit is registered to the Registration Server in two phases. The first preregistration phase is where details of the unit are entered onto the registration server. This is the information that the unit will collect to instruct it what the IP address of the main servers are and what is the number of the SMS Gateway. Registration to the Device Messaging Server is automated and occurs the first time the main unit is powered up. This phase is required for the main unit to download its connection details for GPRS and SMS messaging for both the main and base station servers. Note that the first part of the registration occurs over SMS and that the main unit is provided with the Registration Servers number in its SIM card.
15. A PSAS as defined above wherein the Base Station component is used to provide Assistance Data to the units that will assist them in indoor tracking and to achieve fast fixes whilst outdoors. This component consists of a number of GPS Tracking units that collect data from visible satellites and logs the data to the database ready to provide to any unit requesting it. It is important to note that this device will log data from satellites currently visible and not from all satellites. It is therefore important to realise that for applications that will track units over a large area that multiple tracking device may be required spread across the target area. The internet ephemeris service however collects data from a website that provides an estimate of the data for all satellites on the internet every 6 hours. Although it is not as accurate as the live logged data', in some situations it may be the only source of assistance data.

Alternatively this data can be used as a backup should one or more of the Assist tracking devices fail. The Base Station server continually collects data from all these tracking devices and downloads new internet data every 6 hours.

An alarm system is in place to alert users via email, SMS or on the terminal should any of the tracking devices fail or if connection to the internet fails.
16. A PSAS as defined above wherein the Message Handler component is required to communicate with the PSAS units. This component resides on the main communication server and the SMS Gateway and is responsible for decoding data received from the PSAS units and encoding data to be sent to the PSAS units. This component may be provided to the customer to integrate into their existing tracking applications.
17. A PSAS as defined above wherein there is a Web Server and Web Application component providing the user front end view into the system wherein this component is core to the overall system and being the piece that binds it all together and allows the user's devices to be configured, tracked, alarms made visible and reports generated.

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17. A PSAS as defined above wherein a Communication Server unit communicates with its server over GPRS or SMS. With the current mobile network infrastructure, TCP connections can only be initiated from the unit to the server and not the server to the unit. For this reason a ring service is required to alert the unit that the server wants to communicate with the unit.

These 3 services can reside on the same machine or on separate machines.

18. A PSAS as defined above wherein a TCP Server Service unit communicates with the main message server over GPRS via TCP/IP or SMS. The TCP Server service is a service that will accept a request from a unit to open a TCP socket on a specified port. It will create a new client thread for each socket it opens. The new thread will then initiate a message sequence with the unit that is trying to connect. A brief description on how the TCP communications occurs is described below: * The unit looks up the server IP address, port number and other connection details in its memory * The unit opens a TCP connection (socket) on the mobile network which gets connected to the server * The server detects the new connection, creates a new thread and sends a message to the unit informing it that it is ready for communications * Communications occur between the unit and server till all data is exchanged.

* The unit informs the server that it is closing the TCP connection(socket) * Both the server and unit close their end of the socket.

* The server destroys the thread If the server needs to contact the unit (for example a user tries to poll the unit from the website for its latest position) the following sequence will occur: * The server will ring the units mobile number for 3 rings and hang up * These rings will wake the unit from sleep mode.

* The unit knows that the server wants to communicate, so it will open a TCP connection and the sequence will occur as described above.

19. A PSAS as defined above wherein there is a SMS Gateway Service. All units that send data over SMS will send it to the SMS Gateway Service. SMS can be used as a backup messaging system when GPRS fails or can be used as the primary message transport for applications where no GPRS service is available.

20. A PSAS as defined above wherein there is a Ring Service. This service is used to ring the unit whenever a user tries to contact the device for GPRS communications. The ring service will make a call to the device's mobile number. When the unit detects the ring, it will connect to the TCP Server Service to fetch the instruction and/or data over GPRS as described above.

This service therefore requires a server that has the capability of making multiple calls to devices. A call is never completed as the unit never answers the call and the server hangs up after a few rings. This service is only ever used as a method to instruct the unit to connect to the server as the server has no way of initiating TCP communications to the unit.

21. A PSAS as defined above wherein there is a Web Server and Web Application component providing the user front end view into the system. This component is core to the overall system as it is piece that binds it all together. It is from here that the PSAS units will be configured, tracked, alanns made visible and reports generated. The capabilities of the web front end are extensive and will be developed to meet the customer's needs.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A personal security alarm system (PSAS) which functions in conjunction with a Personal Security Communicator such as that awarded a UK Patent GB 2392057 and/or any other location based service device to further enhance the operation of that device or devices wherein once the device is registered, the webserver will know where the device is located and will send via GSMIGPRS both Almanac and Ephemeris data to help the device's GPS module to quickly get a "fix" (i.e. current location of the device) so that the memory of the device will now know its location even when indoors and will be ready to either send that information by the user pushing the "panic button" on the device or by responding to a request sent to the device over the air from an authorised cell phone or from the invention's webserver or any other means of activating a request.

2. A PSAS as defined in Claim 1 which is activated by placing a chosen SJIvI card for use with the device into a conventional cellphone and/or the device itself and the phone numbers required for the device to be able to contact the inventions web server being written into the SIM card memory thus allowing the user to register the device to the inventions webserver, pay the registration and subscription fees against the choice of operational options available which are shown as tick boxes or any other appropriately customised feature on the inventions website.

3. A PSAS as defined above wherein Almanac and Ephemeris data is automatically updated to the devices from the invention's webserver as required through the use of SMS or GPRS or any such method of data phone service communication "over the air" and which may or may not include as part of the invention the setup and operation of appropriate located "Base Stations".

4. A PSAS as defined above wherein Base Stations may be located at different points about the Earth so that they can collect and relay data to the inventions web server using SMS or GPRS or any such method of data phone service communication as the method for sending data wherein the relayed data relates to the actual GPS satellite transmissions that can be collected at any given hour by that particular Base Station setup about the Earth's surface so that large surface diameters may be covered by each Base Station.

5. A PSAS as defined above wherein the devices may be constantly updated at appropriate intervals so that the GPS module is kept in a state from which it can take and send a forced or panic signal or respond to a request for fix from an authorised celiphone or the invention's webserver within seconds.

6. A PSAS as defined above wherein a customisation service is available to the user of the PSAS and which is initiated at registration of the device on the inventions webserver and which includes remote control through the Internet of the device user's individual webpage containing tick boxes or any other appropriately customised feature wherein the user can regulate the service they C' require from the PSAS and which may include but is not limited to frequency of automatic fixes, geofencing, use of GPRS and/or SMS for data transfer, appearance of their location marker or markers on mapping displayed through the Internet on their PC, PDA, celiphone or any other means of receiving and displaying such data through phone service providers 7. A PSAS as defined above wherein the invention's webserver has integral parts which include but are not limited to a Registration Server, a Base Station, a Message Handler, a Communication Server, an SMS Gateway Service, a Ring Service, a Web Server and Web Application.

8. A PSAS as defined above wherein the devices are registered to the Registration Server in phases, the first pre-registration phase being where details of the device are entered onto the registration server and this being the information that the device will collect to instruct it what the IP address of the main servers are and what is the number of the SMS Gateway, which phase of Registration to the Device Messaging Server may or may not be automated and occur the first time the device with its SIM card installed is powered up and may or may not be required for the device to download its connection details for GPRS and SMS messaging for both the main and base station servers.

9. A PSAS as defined above wherein the Base Station component is used to provide Assistance Data to the devices that will assist them in indoor tracking and to achieve fast fixes whilst outdoors, such Base Station component consisting of a number of GPS Tracking units that collect data from visible satellites and logs the data to the inventions database ready to provide such data to any device requesting it and which database may also use the internet ephemeris service which although not as accurate as the live logged data', in some situations may be the only source of assistance data..

10. A PSAS as defined above wherein an alarm system is in place to alert users via email, SMS or on the terminal should any of the tracking devices fail or if connection to the internet fails.

11. A PSAS as defined above wherein the Message Handler component is required to communicate with the devices, such component residing on the main communication server and the SMS Gateway and is responsible for decoding data received from the PSAS devices and encoding data to be sent to the PSAS devices wherein such component may or may not be provided to the customer to integrate into existing tracking applications.

12. A PSAS as defined above wherein a Communication Server unit communicates with its server over GPRS or SMS wherein such connections may or may not be initiated from the unit to the server and not the server to the unit and where a ring service may or may not be required to alert the unit that the server wants to communicate with the unit and where these services may or may not reside on the same machine or on separate machines.

13. A PSAS as defined above wherein a TCP Server Service unit communicates with the main message server over GPRS via TCP/IP or SMS and where this is a service that will accept a request from a unit to open a TCP socket on a specified port and will create a new client thread for each socket opened, the new thread then initiating a message sequence with the unit that is trying to connect and wherein a brief description on how the TCP communications occurs can be described as the unit looking up the server 1P address, port number and other connection details in its memory, the unit opening a TCP connection (socket) on the mobile network which gets connected to the server, the server detecting the new connection, creates a new thread and sends a message to the unit informing it that it is ready for communications, which communications occur between the unit and server till all data is exchanged, the unit informs the server that it is closing the TCP connection(socket), both the server and unit close their end of the socket, the server destroys the thread.

14. A PSAS as defined above wherein additionally if the server needs to contact the TCP Server Service unit (for example a user tries to poll the unit from the website for its latest position) the following sequence can occur; the server will ring the units mobile number for 3 rings and hang up, these rings will wake the unit from sleep mode, the unit knows that the server wants to communicate and will open a TCP connection and the sequence will occur as described in 13, above.

15. A PSAS as defined above wherein there is a SMS Gateway Service wherein all devices that send data over SMS will send it to the SMS Gateway Service so that SMS can be used as a backup messaging system when GPRS fails or can be used as the primary message transport for applications where no GPRS service is available.

16. A PSAS as defined above wherein there is a Ring Service used to ring the unit whenever a user tries to contact the device for GPRS communications, such service making a call to the device's mobile number and, when the unit detects the ring, connecting to the TCP Server Service to fetch the instruction and/or data over GPRS as described above and wherein the service has a server with the capability of making multiple calls to devices, such call is never completed as the unit never answers the call and the server hangs up after a few rings, such service being used as a method to instruct the unit to connect to the server as the server may or may not have a way of initiating TCP communications to the unit.