GB2523683A

GB2523683A - Personal location monitoring device and system

Info

Publication number: GB2523683A
Application number: GB1509796.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul David Miller; Stuart Wood
Original assignee: AVR Group Ltd
Current assignee: AVR Group Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-04
Filing date: 2013-10-04
Publication date: 2015-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2033-10-04
Also published as: GB201509796D0; GB2520671B; GB2523683B; GB2520671A; GB201317584D0

Abstract

A monitoring unit is provided for monitoring curfew compliance of an individual in their home. The unit is in communication with a remote alarm receiving centre via a mobile network. The monitoring unit is connected to mains power supply and in order to detect any attempt to relocate it, any failure or disconnection of the mains power supply will be detectable. The monitoring unit is fitted with a fingerprint reader which is used to verify the presence of the user under curfew. At random intervals during the curfew, the user is prompted to use the fingerprint reader to verity that they are present at their home. If the users fingerprint is validated, a message is transmitted to the remote centre confirming the presence of the user at their home. The monitoring unit is further arranged to receive interrogation signals from a remote centre, and respond with identifier data, whereby the absence of a response is indicative that the monitoring unit is disconnected from the mains, or has failed to communicate. The unit may further include a motion sensor and/or a GPS tracking device for detecting relocation of the unit.

Description

Personal location monitoring device and system [0001] This invention relates to a device and system and method for remotely monitoring the presence of an individual at a predetermined location. It is particularly concerned with monitoring whether an individual is complying with curfew conditions.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The police service can impose home curfews' where a person is required to be at home during certain defined hours. To check that the curfew is being observed the typical current arrangement is that police officers make random visits to the person's home to check that they are present. This is not effective use of police time and resources. Tagging of individuals is also known, but is usually available only under stricter legal requirements and, moreover, can be prone to tampering and/or technical difficulties with a geo-positioning satellite system often not being capable of detecting location of an individual other than in a specific neighbourhood and also not functioning well if the tag transmitter is inside a building.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present invention provides a system where a monitoring unit is installed within an individual user's home and is in communication with a remote alarm receiving centre, such as via the GSM (global system for mobile communication) network, although it could be by a fixed data communication networks such as PNS. This monitoring unit is, in use, connected to mains power supply and in order to detect any attempt to relocate it (since it is necessary to unplug the unit to move it) any failure or disconnection of the mains power supply will be detectable. As further means of detecting any relocation of the unit it will preferably also incorporate a motion sensor and/or a GPS location/tracking device.

[0004] The monitoring unit is fitted with a fingerprint reader which is used to verify the presence of the user under curfew. At random intervals during the defined curfew hours, a monitoring system at the remote alarm receiving centre will prompt operational staff to telephone the user. The user is then required to use the fingerprint reader to verify that they are present at their home. However, this arrangement could be automated by the monitoring system at the remote alarm receiving centre, alternatively, triggering an automated voice message to the user's telephone or an audible and/or visual indicator on the monitoring unit requiring response by use of the fingerprint reader by the user within a predetermined time period.

[0005] If the user's fingerprint is validated a secure data message is transmitted, typically over the GSM network but alternatively over any other fixed for wireless communication network, to the alarm receiving centre monitoring system. This then confirms the presence of the user at his/her home address and that his/her curfew is not being violated.

[0006] More broadly, the present invention provides a personal location monitoring unit comprising at least one communication device connected to a data processor, these being mounted within a housing and connectable to mains power supply, a battery power supply connected to the data processor and operative in the event of mains power failure or mains power disconnection, and a fingerprint reader in communication with the processor to provide data signals thereto. The fingerprint reader is programmable to store a specific print as a reference and to read subsequent prints and compare each to the reference and recognise a match. The communication device or devices is/are configured to transmit signals via a fixed or wireless data network to a remote monitoring centre under control of the processor whenever the fingerprint reader registers a match, and the communication device or devices is/are also configured to receive signals from a remote monitoring centre and, under control of the processor, to respond with device identifier, absence of a response being indicative to the remote monitoring centre of absence of mains power supply or failure of the communication device.

[0007] Preferred embodiments of the monitoring unit of the invention include a motion sensor in communication with the processor, the motion sensor being capable of detecting movement of the housing and the communication device or devices being configured to transmit signals via the data network to a remote monitoring centre under control of the processor in the event that the motion sensor is disabled or in the event that the motion sensor detects that the housing is being moved. Suitable motion sensors may be 3D silicon accelerometers.

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the monitoring unit of the invention also include a geo-position satellite (GPS) receiver in communication with the processor so as to detect the position of the housing on the earth and programmable to store a given location as a reference, and the communication device or devices also being configured to transmit a signal to a remote monitoring centre, under control of the processor, in the event that the GPS receiver detects that the location of the housing has changed from the reference.

[0009] The monitoring unit is preferably a portable unit, thus of suitable size and weight for portability by a single person, and readily transported by carrying and/or within a normal motor vehicle, because it is intended for temporary use during a prescribed home detention/curfew period and this may be of short duration. Then it would need to be taken elsewhere and reprogrammed and re-used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] An exemplary personal monitoring unit in accordance with the invention comprises a tamper-proof housing, or at least a housing which is protected from damage and/or from easy access to its interior, incorporating all of the components shown in the lower half of the accompanying drawing and connectable to mains power supply by customary cable and electrical connection plug. Inside the housing is a data processor control unit and connected to this, either mounted directly onto the housing, or provided integrally or as a separate sub unit connected by cable into a socket of the housing is a fingerprint reader. Additional components which are connected to and in communication with the data-processing unit, and are typically inside the housing are all of the following, as shown at the left hand side of the drawing: * motion sensor * GPS location receiver * triangulation receiver * mains power detector * backup battery power supply.

The housing also encloses at least one and optionally two or three communication interfaces, all in electronic data communication with the data processor and as shown diagrammatically immediately above the data processor in the drawing. The preferred data communication interface is a GSM modem, but a PSTN (public switched telephone network) interface or a radio transmitter/receiver for any other radio network may alternatively or additionally be provided. Where additional communication interfaces are provided this is to allow for confirmatory communication of data either by same or different type of network in order to allow for failsafe operation of the system.

[0012] The housing of the unit should also incorporate a keypad and associated display to allow for necessary periodic re programming of the processor unit and input of identifier data for the individual being monitored by means of the unit.

[0013] The housing is of a suitable size and weight for portability by a single person and can be readily transported by carrying manually and/or within a normal motor vehicle, because it is intended for temporary use during a prescribed home detention/curfew period, as will be described, and this may be of short duration. It needs to be capable of being taken elsewhere and reprogrammed and re-used whenever necessary.

[0014] The overall system in accordance with the invention includes at least one remote monitoring centre (also referred to as alarm monitoring centre). Two such monitoring centres are shown diagrammatically at the upper half of the drawing. At each of these remote centres there is a primary data communication interface corresponding to and capable of receiving data signals from the main data communication interface used by the or each of the personal monitoring units and a relevant secondary data communication interface for each of the different types of communication interface provided in the or each of the personal monitoring units.

[0015] In operation of an exemplary system for use in curfew compliance by an individual, a monitoring unit, namely a housing with integral or connected fingerprint reader is installed at the home of the user and plugged into mains electricity supply. Using the fingerprint reader, the keyboard and the display unit, the user, having confirmed their identity by means of a valid photo ID card and under the supervision of an authorized person, registers his/her fingerprint as a reference which is stored in the data processor control unit. Successful registration is confirmed to the or each remote monitoring centre by means of the respective data communication interfaces. Where these interfaces are GSM modems, the communication will be via GSM network.

[0016] If any attempt is made to relocate the data processor control unit, which will involve unplugging the mains power supply, this will be detected by any combination of (i) non-detection of mains power supply by the relevant detector; (ü) activation of the motion sensor; (iii) change of location detected by the GPS location receiver. Signals from these respective sensors/detectors are communicated to the data processor control unit which in turn will communicate wirelessly or by fixed communication network through the primary and optional secondary data communication interfaces to the one or more remote monitoring centres.

[0017] During continued normal operation of the unit, the data management system at the or one of the remote monitoring centres generate outbound telephone call requests at random intervals during the curfew period to the user individual (obviously, either their mobile phone or their landline at the relevant dwelling address). These telephone requests, which can either be by automated message or by direct personal telephone call from personnel connected to the monitoring centre, ask the user to verify his/her identity using the fingerprint reader. Matching of the fingerprint with the reference stored in the data processor control unit will confirm the identity of the individual and this will be recorded on the monitoring centre management system.

Failure to match will generate an alarm condition and/or be logged to indicate non-compliance with the curfew conditions, which may then have legal consequences for the individual concerned.

[0018] In a modified version of the unit and the system of the invention, in place of telephone calls to the individual user, a time period, selected at random during a longer curfew period, for verifying his/her identity by use of the fingerprint reader could be signalled to the user by means of a light or a buzzer or similar incorporated into the monitoring unit at the home location under control of signals from the remote monitoring centre or one of the centres where more than one is involved.

[0019] In the system of the invention the remote monitoring centre periodically interrogates the monitoring unit to check the viability of the communication network and detect mains power supply. This enables any failure of mains power (which may be liable to occur where the power supply is by coin operated meter) to be detected and differentiated from disconnection. The management system at the remote monitoring centre may be configured to generate an alarm condition only when two or more of the sensors/detectors for movement of the monitoring unit (namely, as indicated above, non-detection of mains power, actuation of the motion sensor, and change of position as detected by GPS) are triggered within a predetermined short time period.

[0020] The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments, and variations are possible as will be readily apparent to a person skilled in this technical field. Even if the housing, in other embodiments, does not enclose all the components, these other embodiments will be securable onto the housing or connectable thereto in such a manner that they cannot be disconnected without detection by the relevant sensors, particularly the motion sensor and mains power detector. Moreover, even with these separate components fitted on or to the housing the overall assembly will be portable.

[0021] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A personal location monitoring unit comprising at least one communication device connected to a data processor, these being mounted within a housing and connectable to mains power supply, a battery power supply connected to the data processor and operative in the event of mains power failure or mains power disconnection, and a fingerprint reader in communication with the processor to provide data signals thereto; wherein the fingerprint reader is programmable to store a specific print as a reference and to read subsequent prints and compare each to the reference and recognise a match; wherein the or each communication device is configured to transmit signals via a fixed or wireless data network to a remote monitoring centre under control of the processor whenever the fingerprint reader registers a match; and wherein the or each communication device is also configured to receive signals from a remote monitoring centre and, under control of the processor, respond with device identifier, absence of a response being indicative to the remote monitoring centre of absence of mains power supply or failure of the communication device.
2. A personal location monitoring unit according to claim 1 further comprising a motion sensor in communication with the processor, the motion sensor being capable of detecting movement of the housing and the communication device or devices being configured to transmit signals via the data network to a remote monitoring centre under control of the processor in the event that the motion sensor is disabled or in the event that the motion sensor detects that the housing is being moved.
3. A personal location monitoring unit according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising a geo-position satellite (GPS) receiver in communication with the processor so as to detect the position of the housing on the earth and programmable to store a given location as a reference, and the communication device or devices also being configured to transmit a signal to a remote monitoring centre, under control of the processor, in the event that the GPS receiver detects that the location of the housing has changed from the reference.
4. A personal location monitoring unit according to any preceding claim wherein the communication device comprises a GSM modem configured to transmit signals via a GSM network to the remote monitoring centre.
5. A personal location monitoring system comprising at least one monitoring centre and at least one personal location monitoring unit, according to any preceding claim, the or each unit being in communication by way of a fixed or mobile data network with the or each monitoring centre or with one of the or more than one of the monitoring centres.