System for, and method of, monitoring the movements of mobile items

(54) SYSTEM FOR, AND METHOD OF,

MONITORING THE MOVEMENTS OF
MOBILE ITEMS

(75) Inventors: Raymond D. Fast, Surrey (CA);

Robert R. Goehring, Vancouver (CA);
Kai Loon Ng, Vancouver (CA)

(73) Assignee: Guardian Mobile Monitoring
Systems, Vancouver, B.C. (CA)

5,519,403 A * 5/1996 Bickley et al 342/352

6,661,372 Bl 12/2003 Girerd et al.

6,720,888 B2* 4/2004 Eagleson et al 340/572.1

6,958,677 Bl * 10/2005 Carter 340/10.1

7,139,820 Bl* 11/2006 O'Toole et al 701/213

7,152,020 B2* 12/2006 Michiwaki et al 340/539.11

7,176,797 B2* 2/2007 Zai et al 340/572.1

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

WO WO 02/23922 A2 3/2002

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 384 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 11/048,555

(22) Filed: Jan. 31, 2005

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2006/0181411 Al Aug. 17, 2006

Related U.S. Application Data

(60) Provisional application No. 60/542,208, filed on Feb. 4, 2004.

(51) Int. CI.

G08B 13/14 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 340/572.1; 701/213

(58) Field of Classification Search 340/572.1,

340/825.36, 825.49, 825.72, 539.11; 701/213, 701/214; 342/357.01,357.02 See application file for complete search history.

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,317,309 A * 5/1994 Vercellotti et al 340/10.5

A system monitors parameters (e.g., speed, position, threshold boundaries) of mobile items attached to beacons and produces signals indicating these parameters. The system also monitors non-mobile parameters (e.g., battery life, door locks, windows) in the items. Different technologies (e.g., wireless) are provided for communicating between the beacons and a beacon controller interface. Different technologies are provided for locating and indicating item positions. The beacons and the interface provide for new beacons to be added to the system with different characteristics than the existing beacons for monitoring the operation of new beacons without affecting the operation of existing beacons. The system includes resellers, retailers, users and subscribers in a flexible relationship to enhance the ease in the system operation. Beacons can perform more than one function (e.g. tracking, threshold monitoring) simultaneously. Scenarios for the beacons can be created and monitored. Recovery personnel can intervene to resolve crises.

122 Claims, 30 Drawing Sheets