WO2011049998A2

WO2011049998A2 - Electronic badge apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2011049998A2
Application number: PCT/US2010/053268
Authority: WO
Inventors: Randall Winslow
Original assignee: Randall Winslow
Priority date: 2009-10-21
Filing date: 2010-10-19
Publication date: 2011-04-28
Also published as: WO2011049998A3

Abstract

An electronic badge apparatus housed in an unobtrusive oval case that allows an official to wear, rather than carry, various communications devices. Other than the case having a relatively narrow thickness, the apparatus resembles a typical badge. A communication port disposed in the front and the perimeter enables download of recorded and saved memory. A GPS unit with transmitter disposed within the case enables tracking of an officer. A radio scanner disposed within the case enables the officer to continually scan radio frequencies typically broadcast via police departments, fire departments, the National Weather Service, and the like. A camera disposed within the case records video and sound. A speaker/microphone disposed within the case front operationally communicates with the radio scanner. The processor with memory operationally communicates with the GPS unit, the radio scanner, the battery pack, the camera, and the communication port.

Description

Electronic Badge Apparatus

This application claims priority to Non-Provisional Application 12/582,914 filed on 10/21/2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Personal GPS units are known in the art. Police have a need for GPS functions in order that a policeman's location can be tracked. Tracking a policeman can serve several functions among which include knowing the officer's location for safety reasons and knowing the officer's location for potential response needed. Additionally, most police cars are radio equipped, with scanning devices included so that an officer can follow various activities, crimes, and the like. Another duty of police officers is report writing, and a duty not always enjoyed due to the time required in memory, reference, and in the writing itself. The present apparatus provides GPS tracking of an officer, while also providing memory of events the officer is involved in, along with a scanner and a communication port so that events recorded are downloadable to a computer or other electronic device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The electronic badge apparatus relates to badges and more especially to a badge apparatus having a GPS tracking unit, memory, a scanner, a camera, and memory download capability. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the electronic badge apparatus, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a electronic badge apparatus which has many novel features that result in an improved electronic badge apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.

To attain this, the electronic badge apparatus is housed in an unobtrusive oval case. Other than the case having a relatively narrow thickness, the apparatus strongly resembles a typical badge. The symbol is disposed substantially centrally on the case front. Other appropriate symbols may replace the illustrated star. A state map outline, for example, might comprise the symbol. The banner disposed above the symbol provides a format for any desired lettering. The communication port disposed in the front and the perimeter enables download of recorded and saved memory. This feature is especially useful to a policeman preparing a report and saves significant time for the officer in doing so. The clip disposed on the case back enables convenient carry on any clothing item worn by an officer.

The GPS unit with transmitter disposed within the case enables tracking of an officer. The radio scanner disposed within the case enables the officer to continually scan radio frequencies typically broadcast via police departments, fire departments, the National Weather Service, and the like. The speaker/microphone disposed within the case front is in communication with the radio scanner. The battery pack removably disposed within the case back powers the apparatus. The processor with memory is disposed within the case. A digital camera is also disposed within the case. The processor with memory is in communication with the GPS unit, the radio scanner, the camera, the battery pack, and the communication port. The functions of the apparatus enable a police officer, security guard, fireman, or other official to provide communication that heretofore required much more additional equipment carry.

Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the improved electronic badge apparatus so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

An object of the electronic badge apparatus is to provide GPS tracking of an officer.

Another object of the electronic badge apparatus is to include the GPS tracking within the officer's badge.

A further object of the electronic badge apparatus is to be unobtrusive. An added object of the electronic badge apparatus is to include memory capability within the apparatus.

And, an object of the electronic badge apparatus is to provide memory download from the apparatus. A further object of the electronic badge apparatus is to provide a radio scanner.

Even a further object of the electronic badge apparatus is to provide a camera for recording video and sound.

Still another object of the electronic badge apparatus is to reduce the amount of equipment an officer carries.

These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the improved electronic badge apparatus will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the improved electronic badge apparatus when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the improved electronic badge apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the electronic badge apparatus is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of this disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the improved electronic badge apparatus. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the electronic badge apparatus. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be described by way of exemplary

embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view.

Figure 2 is a lateral elevation view.

Figure 3 is a front partial cross sectional view.

Figure 4 is a back elevation view.

Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of electronics of the apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments. Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The phrase "in one embodiment" is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms "comprising", "having" and "including" are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular Figures 1 through 5 thereof, the principles and concepts of the electronic badge apparatus generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus 10 partially comprises the oval case 20 having a front 22 spaced apart from a back 24 and a perimeter 26. The symbol 40 is disposed substantially centrally on the case 20 front 22. The banner 42 is disposed above the symbol 40. The banner 42 enables inscribing of an officer's name, precinct, city or the like. The communication port 60 is disposed in the front 22 and the perimeter 26. The clip 30 is disposed on the back 24 and enables the apparatus 10 to be clipped to a belt, jacket, shirt, or other clothing item.

Referring to Figures 3, 4, and 5, the apparatus 10 further comprises the GPS unit with transmitter 55 is disposed within the case 20. The radio scanner 56 is disposed within the case 20. The speaker/microphone 44 is disposed within the case 20 front 22. The speaker/microphone 44 is in communication with the radio scanner 56. The speaker/microphone 44 provides audio for the scanner 56 and also a microphone for audio input that is stored in the processor with memory 50. The speaker/microphone 44 is also in communication with the processor with memory 50 and allows memory playback as desired. The battery pack 36 is disposed within the case 20 back 24. The processor with memory 50 is disposed within the case 20.

A digital camera 70 is centrally disposed within the case 20 front 22. The camera 70 records both video and sound. The camera 70 includes 2 gigabytes of internal memory. The camera 70 transfers video and sound data to a computer via a USB port and is compatible with all Windows® versions, as well as Apple® and Linux® operating systems. The camera 70 also includes a date and time stamp and records in black and white and color. There are no camera indicators to show that the camera 70 is in operating mode; for example, there are no flashing lights indicating operation of the camera 70.

The processor with memory 50 is in communication with the GPS unit with transmitter 55, the radio scanner 56, the camera 70, the battery pack 35, and the communication port 60.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the electronic badge apparatus, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the electronic badge apparatus.

Directional terms such as "front", "back", "in", "out", "downward", "upper", "lower", and the like may have been used in the description. These terms are applicable to the embodiments shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely used for the purpose of description in connection with the drawings and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the electronic badge apparatus may be used.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the electronic badge apparatus. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the electronic badge apparatus to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the electronic badge apparatus.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1 . An electronic badge apparatus, comprising, in combination:

an case having a front spaced apart from a back, a perimeter;

a symbol disposed substantially centrally on the case front;

a banner disposed above the symbol;

a communication port disposed in the front and the perimeter;

a GPS unit with transmitter disposed within the case;

a battery pack removably disposed within the case back;

a processor with memory disposed within the case, the processor with memory in communication with the GPS unit, the battery pack, and the communication port.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an oval shape.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a clip disposed on the case back.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a clip disposed on the case back.

5. An electronic badge apparatus, comprising, in combination:

an oval case having a front spaced apart from a back, a perimeter;

a symbol disposed substantially centrally on the case front;

a banner disposed above the symbol;

a communication port disposed in the front and the perimeter; a clip disposed on the back;

a GPS unit with transmitter disposed within the case;

a radio scanner disposed within the case;

a speaker/microphone disposed within the case front, the speaker/microphone in communication with the radio scanner and the processor with memory;

a battery pack removably disposed within the case back;

a processor with memory disposed within the case, the processor with memory in communication with the GPS unit, the radio scanner, the battery pack, and the communication port.

6. An electronic badge apparatus, comprising, in combination:

an oval case having a front spaced apart from a back, a perimeter;

a symbol disposed substantially centrally on the case front;

a banner disposed above the symbol;

a communication port disposed in the front and the perimeter;

a clip disposed on the back;

a GPS unit with transmitter disposed within the case;

a radio scanner disposed within the case;

a battery pack removably disposed within the case back;

a digital camera centrally disposed within the case front; a processor with memory disposed within the case, the processor with memory in communication with the GPS unit, the radio scanner, the battery pack, the digital camera, and the communication port.