Patent No. 5629678 Personal tracking and recovery system
Patent No. 5629678
Personal tracking and recovery system (Gargano, et al., May 13, 1997) Impantable transceiver.
Abstract
Apparatus for tracking and recovering humans utilizes an implantable transceiver incorporating a power supply and actuation system allowing the unit to remain implanted and functional for years without maintenance. The implanted transmitter may be remotely actuated, or actuated by the implantee. Power for the remote-activated receiver is generated electromechanically through the movement of body muscle. The device is small enough to be implanted in a child, facilitating use as a safeguard against kidnapping, and has a transmission range which also makes it suitable for wilderness sporting activities. A novel biological monitoring feature allows the device to be used to facilitate prompt medical dispatch in the event of heart attack or similar medical emergency. A novel sensation-feedback feature allows the implantee to control and actuate the device with certainty.
Notes:
SUMMARY
OF THE INVENTION
The system employs triggerable radio beacon transmitter means designed to be
implanted beneath the skin of an individual. Biological monitoring in the device
will provide means for rapidly dispatching help in the event of a detectable
medical emergency, such as a heart attack. A unique sensation-feedback feature
allows the user to control and trigger the device with certainty, resulting
in a more reliable, easily maintained system. The device is hermetically sealed
in a biologically inert container. The device operates normally in a dormant
state, and can be externally triggered to transmit the homing beacon. There
are numerous possible embodiments of the trigger mechanism. In some embodiments
of the trigger mechanism, the device is designed to be remotely triggered. Such
a feature is desirable if the device is implanted in a small child who cannot
be relied upon to trigger the device. Remote triggering may also be desirable
in instances when an individual may be unconscious.
In one remote triggering instance, a radio transmitter may broadcast a coded
signal to a receiver within the device. The receiver is equipped with circuitry
for recognizing the coded radio signal. In one embodiment where the device is
locally triggered, the device may be equipped with an acoustic receiver designed
to detect certain sounds or a predetermined sequence of sounds in time, such
as a note progression. In this case the device would likely be triggered by
the person in whom it is implanted, for instance by humming a given tune. Immunity
to false alarms may be provided by making the sequence long or requiring it
to be repeated in a certain amount of time.
In another embodiment, the device may be triggered by monitoring a body function
such as heart rate. If the victim were to experience a heart attack, help would
be automatically and expediently dispatched.
If the device is triggered either by an external coded radio signal or a coded
acoustic signal, or by monitoring a body function such as heart rate, the device
incorporates a micro-power analog electronic means such as a radio or acoustic
receiver or electrocardiogram monitoring circuitry, which runs off energy collected
either from body muscle by electromechanical means, or from an external charger
through electromagnetic induction coupling.
Other local triggering means not requiring a micro-power receiver are also contemplated.
In such a case the device may be triggered by electromechanical means with a
binary output, such as a mechanical switch. Possible embodiments of such a triggering
mechanism range from a simple subcutaneous switch or combination of switches
that actuate the transmitter when pressed, to an actuator coupled to internal
body muscle, combined with digital circuitry designed to trigger the transmitter
in response to a timed sequence of actuations.
It may be desirable in some implementations to include capabilities for both
local and remote triggering. The same individual may desire the capability of
local triggering in the event of an emergency such as a car-jacking, mugging,
or kidnapping, while desiring remote triggering capability if for some reason
the situation had rendered the individual unconscious. It may also be desirable
in some embodiments for the user to be able to disable the remote-trigger feature.
The device contains a power source capable of supplying power for the transmitter
for ample time to afford recovery of the individual in distress. Once triggered,
the device may transmit only for a predetermined interval, allowing re-triggering
later if the distressed individual is not located, or if help takes some time
to dispatch.
The small size of the device makes it suitable for implantation in young children
as well as adults. The above and other features of the invention including various
and novel details of construction and combination of parts will now be more
particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed
out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular personal tracking
and recovery system embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration
only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of
this invention may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing
from the scope of the invention.
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The
drawings referred to in the specification are presented in block diagram form.
Numerous possible implementations of any given block will be apparent to one
skilled in the art. Any specific details referred to are strictly by way of
example. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that various
substitutions and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit
of the invention.
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