DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Withe the continuing problem of locating or ascertaining the whereabouts of missing persons, particularly children, there has been increasing demand for systems which allow parents to monitor the location of their children, particularly in public places. Such systems are also useful for tracking other individuals, such as Alzheimer's patients, who may become disoriented or lost. If the child or the patient becomes separated from the parent or otherwise, several systems have been developed to assist the parent in locating the child. For example, U. S. Patent No. 5,748, 087 (Ingargiola et al) describes a system having a receiver worn by a child or an Alzheimer's patient and a transmitter carried by a parent or a guardian. The parent or guardian may use the transmitter to emit a"find" signal if the child or patient is missing. Upon receipt of the"find"signal, the receiver generates an auditory alarm via speakers and a visual alarm via illuminated LED's. A disadvantage of such a system is that the receiver does not provide location coordinates of the child or patient to the parent or guardian. Consequently, the parent or guardian is required to be within audible or visual range of the alarm in order to locate the child or patient. This process of locating the source of the alarm may be especially difficult in locations having large crowds and a high level of ambient noise or bright lighting.

GPS technology has been used by other systems to provide the location coordinates of a child to a parent or guardian. For example, U. S. Patents Nos. 5,742, 233 (Hoffman et al), 6,031, 460 (Banks), 6,014, 080 (Layson), and 5,731, 785 (Lemelson et ao describe systems which include a portable GPS receiver for use with a mobile subject such as a child, patient, criminal offender, or a vehicle. The portable GPS receiver receives G PS r anging signals from the GPS satellites and determines its location coordinates from these signals. The GPS receiver then transmits its location coordinates to a central station. The central station makes the location coordinates available to individuals that are interested in locating the child, patient, criminal offender, vehicle, etc. However, there are several shortcomings that are not addressed by the GPS systems known in the art. For example, the calculation of the child's location is performed by a GPS circuit provided in the remote device worn by the child. Providing the capability of determining location in the device worn by the child introduces additional complexity and weight. This additional bulk is especially undesirable when the GPS receiver circuit is worn by a small child.

An additional shortcoming of known systems is the inconvenience of relaying the child's coordinates to a central tracking station. In many instances when a child is likely to become separated from the parent, both the child and the parent are away from home, and therefore typically do not have access to a home computer and/or detailed maps with latitude and longitude coordinates.

Without access to such detailed maps, the parent may be unable to relate the child's coordinates, which are provided by the central tracking station, to recognizable geographical features, such as local streets or buildings. Further, known GPS devices which are used to transmit the location of a missing p erson m ay b ecome d isengaged from the missing p erson, o r m ay b e removed b y t he apprehender of, for example, a missing child. Accordingly, there exists a need for a portable GPS device which can provide the coordinates of a missing person that includes a lightweight, waterproof, relatively unbreakable portable GPS transmitter worn by the person, in which the location of the missing person may be transmitted to a remote monitoring unit, and which includes a unique locking device which alone can remove or adjust the GPS transmitter placed on the person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device and system for monitoring and transmitting a user's location including a portable GPS transmitting unit worn by the person which relays a GPS location signal to a remote monitoring unit.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved device and system for monitoring and transmitting a user's location using a portable GPS transmitting unit worn by the person which relays a GPS location signal to a remote monitoring unit, the portable GPS transmitting unit being in an off position to conserve battery power until being activated by a signal sent from the remote monitoring unit, which reduces a power consumption of the portable GPS transmitting unit by reducing a waste power consumption without adversely affecting the usage of the device.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved device and system for monitoring and transmitting a user's location using a portable GPS transmitting unit worn by the person which comprises a unique locking device which alone can remove or adjust the portable GPS transmitting unit placed on the person, so as to advantageously prevent or inhibit unwanted removal of the portable GPS transmitting unit from the person. It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved device and system for monitoring and transmitting a user's location using a portable GPS transmitting unit worn by the person which has an adjustable, unbreakable, waterproof band securing the portable GPS transmitting unit to the person.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable GPS transmitter configured to be mounted to a user comprising signal receiving means for receiving an activation signal from a remote monitoring unit and activating the portable GPS transmitter; attachment means for connecting the portable GPS transmitter to the user; GPS signal transmitting means for sending a GPS location signal indicating a position of the user to the remote monitoring unit when the portable GPS transmitter is activated; and locking means for removably securing the attachment means of the portable GPS transmitter to the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable GPS transmitter configured to be mounted to a user comprising signal receiving means for receiving an activation signal from a remote monitoring unit and activating the portable GPS transmitter; attachment means for connecting the portable GPS transmitter to the user; GPS signal transmitting means for sending a GPS location signal indicating a position of the user to the remote monitoring unit when the portable GPS transmitter is activated; and locking means for removably securing the attachment means of the portable GPS transmitter to the user, the locking means being displaceable only through use of a locking key unique to the portable GPS transmitter.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring the location of a person, comprising (a) providing a portable transmitter secured to the person and a monitoring unit at a location remote from the portable transmitter, the portable transmitter being secured and fastened to the person by a locking means; (b) providing a G. P. S. satellite receiver at another location remote from the portable transmitter and the monitoring unit; (c) transmitting a support request to the monitoring unit for locating the person; (d) transmitting an activation signal from the monitoring unit to the G. P. S satellite receiver, the activation signal being forwarded to the portable transmitter by the G. P. S. satellite receiver; (e) receiving the activation signal at the portable transmitter, whereby the portable transmitter is activated; (f) transmitting a location signal from the mobile transmitter to the G. P. S. satellite receiver, the location signal being forwarded to the monitoring unit; and (g) determining, at the monitoring unit, coordinates of the portable transmitter from the location signal.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring the location of a person, comprising (a) providing a portable GPS transmitter secured to the person and a monitoring unit at a location remote from the portable GPS transmitter, the portable GPS transmitter being secured and fastened to the person by a locking means; (b) providing a G. P. S. satellite receiver at another location remote from the portable GPS transmitter and the monitoring unit; (c) transmitting a support request from a customer to the monitoring unit for locating the person; (d) identifying the customer based on a customer identification number which is inputted by the customer; (e) transmitting an activation signal from the monitoring unit to the G. P. S satellite receiver, the activation signal being forwarded to the portable GPS transmitter by the G. P. S. satellite receiver; (f) receiving the activation signal at the portable GPS transmitter, whereby the portable GPS transmitter is activated; (g) transmitting a location signal from the portable GPS transmitter to the G. P. S. satellite receiver, the location signal being forwarded to the monitoring unit; and (h) determining, at the monitoring unit, coordinates of the portable GPS transmitter from the location signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for ascertaining the location of a person, comprising a portable G. P. S. transmitter configured to be removably secured to the person, the portable G. P. S. transmitter having a locking means for removably securing the portable G. P. S. transmitter to the person; a monitoring unit at a location remote from the portable G. P. S. transmitter; positioning a G. P. S. satellite receiver at another location remote from the portable G. P. S. transmitter and the monitoring unit; transmitting a support request from a customer to the monitoring unit for locating the person; and transmitting an activation signal from the monitoring unit to the G. P. S satellite receiver, the activation signal being forwarded to the portable G. P. S. transmitter by the G. P. S. satellite receiver; whereby the activation signal is received at the portable G. P. S. transmitter, and the portable G. P. S. transmitter is activated, and the portable G. P. S. transmitter transmits a location signal to the G. P. S. satellite receiver, the location signal being forwarded to the monitoring unit, whereby the monitoring unit can determine the coordinates of the portable G. P. S. transmitter and the person from the location signal.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for ascertaining the location of a person, comprising a portable G. P. S. transmitter configured to be removably secured to the person; a monitoring unit at a location remote from the portable G. P. S. transmitter and the person; providing a G. P. S. satellite receiver at another location remote from the portable G. P. S. transmitter and the monitoring unit; transmitting a support request from a customer to the monitoring unit for locating the person; identifying the customer based on a customer identification number which is inputted by the customer; transmitting an activation signal from the monitoring unit to the G. P. S satellite receiver, the activation signal being forwarded to the portable G. P. S. transmitter by the G. P. S. satellite receiver; receiving the activation signal at the portable G. P. S. transmitter, whereby the portable GPS transmitter is activated; transmitting a location signal from the portable G. P. S. transmitter to the G. P. S. satellite receiver, the location signal being forwarded to the monitoring unit; and determining, at the monitoring unit, coordinates of the portable GPS transmitter from the location signal; whereby the portable G. P. S. transmitter is removably secured to the person by an adjustable band, the adjustable band having a first end and a second end, the second end of the band being inserted into and received by the first end of the band to form a connected band, the connected band securing the portable G. P. S. transmitter to the person, wherein the first end of the band has a securing opening on an upper surface thereof, and the second end of the band has a plurality of adjustment openings on an upper surface thereof, the openings of the first and second end of the band being substantially covered by locking plates, the locking plates each defining therein a plurality of slots or shapes.

The advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved device and system for monitoring and transmitting a user's location using a portable GPS transmitting unit worn by the person which relays a GPS location signal to a remote monitoring unit, the portable GPS transmitting unit being in an off position to conserve battery power until being activated by a signal sent from the remote monitoring unit, which reduces a power consumption of the portable GPS transmitting unit by reducing a waste power consumption without adversely affecting the usage of the device.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved device and system for monitoring and transmitting a user's location using a portable GPS transmitting unit worn by the person which comprises a unique locking device which alone can remove or adjust the portable GPS transmitting unit placed on the person, so as to advantageously prevent or substantially inhibit unwanted removal of the portable GPS transmitting unit from the person. A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved device and system for monitoring and transmitting a user's location using a portable GPS transmitting unit worn by the person which has an adjustable, unbreakable, waterproof band securing the portable GPS transmitting unit to the person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a system for locating missing persons, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and which illustrates a the interaction of the Emergency Control Center, the G. P. S portable transmitter and the G. P. S. satellite receiver; Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the G. P. S portable transmitter of the present invention, as a necklace to be worn by the user; Figure 3 is a drawing of the first and second ends of the band, the second end of the band being inserted into the first end of the band to form the embodiment of the necklace illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a drawing of the necklace illustrated in Figure 2, and which illustrates the securing opening on the first end of the band; Figure 5 illustrates the alignment of the locking plates of each of the first and second ends of the band, the locking plates being in substantial alignment with each other, and which also illustrates the spring loaded prongs on the bottom locking plate of the second end of the band; Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the band of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates the necklace of Figure 2, wherein the first and second ends of the band, which are to be connected together in forming the necklace, are visible; Figure 8 illustrates the unique locking device particular to the necklace of the present invention, being inserted into the locking plates of the first and second bands to remove or adjust the necklace; and Figure 9 illustrates the necklace of Figure 2, and which shows the plurality of adjustment openings on the upper surface of the second end of the band.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the preferred embodiment, and as shown in Figure 1, the system for locating a missing person of the present invention comprises a G. P. S. portable transmitter 1 removably secured to a person (not shown). The system is supplemented by a G. P. S. satellite receiver 3 which is strategically placed on a purchaser's property. When a person is reported missing, the Emergency Control Center 5 is contacted, whereby the Emergency Control Center 5 sends an activation signal to the G. P. S. satellite receiver 3, which is then forwarded by the G. P. S. satellite receiver 3 to the G. P. S. portable transmitter 1, in order to activate the G. P. S portable transmitter 1 to emit a location signal. The location is transmitted by the G. P. S. portable transmitter 1 to the G. P. S. satellite receiver 3, which then forwards the location signal on to the Emergency Control Center 5, whereby the missing person can be located. Preferably, the location signal will include a unique identification code identifying the customer based on a customer identification number which is inputted by the customer; when the Emergency Control Center is contacted. After the G. P. S. portable transmitter 1 is located and an exact location is determined through the G. P. S. process the proper authorities will be notified and given t he I ocation o f t he m issing o r I ost i ndividual by the Emergency C ontrol C enter 5. T he Emergency Control Center 5 is the hub of this process. It can enable and disable the G. P. S. portable transmitter 1. In a preferred embodiment, the Emergency Control Center 5 will be in a fixed location, though it is conceivable that a mobile Emergency Control Center could be used.

Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated one embodiment of the G. P. S portable transmitter 1 of the present invention, contained within a necklace to be worn by the user. Alternatively, a watch, or other devices known to persons skilled in the art, could also be used to hold the G. P. S portable transmitter 1 therein. The G. P. S portable transmitter 1, in the form of a necklace or watch or the like, is a global positioning device meant to be worn by anyone who is at risk of being lost or kidnapped such as children, teenagers, Alzheimer's patients and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the necklaces or watches will include an unbreakable, adjustable, waterproof band 7 made from light weight metal. Power for the G. P. S. portable transmitter 1 is supplied by a battery (not shown). The battery is preferably a long life battery, such as a lithium or similar watch battery. In a further embodiment, it is also noted that the battery may be a rechargeable battery. To save the battery on the G. P. S. mobile transmitter 1, and ensure a long life of the device, when this device is worn the transmitter 1 will normally be in a constant OFF position until receipt of the activation signal sent by the Emergency Control Center.

Furthermore, each of the necklaces or watches containing the G. P. S. portable transmitter 1 also feature a unique locking device, such as a locking key 23 (as shown in Figure 8) whereby the necklace or watch can only be opened and removed, or adjusted, by the appropriate locking key 23 to that personal model.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the GPS portable transmitter, the signals from the GPS Satellite receiver and the signals from the Emergency Control Center are configured to operate on a radio frequency, and the GPS location signal transmitted by the GPS portable transmitter are transmitted on a radio frequency. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the GPS portable transmitter, the signals from the GPS Satellite receiver and the signals from the Emergency Control Center are configured to operate on a cellular telephone network, and the GPS location signal transmitted by the GPS portable transmitter are transmitted on the cellular telephone network.

With reference to Figure 3, the adjustable band 7 of the portable GPS transmitter 1 of the present invention comprises a first end 9 and a second end 11, the first end 9 having a slightly larger circumference and diameter than the second end 11. When the first and the second ends (9,11) of the band 7 are to be secured together, to secure the portable GPS transmitter 1 to the person, the second end 11 of the band 7 is inserted into and received by the slightly larger first end 9 of the band, thus forming an endless band (see Figure 4) for encircling a user's wrist or neck with the watch or necklace, respectively. The first end 9 of the band 7 has a securing opening 13 on an upper surface of the first end 9 of the band 7. The second end 11 of the band also has a plurality of adjustment openings 15 on an upper surface of the second end 11 of the band. Preferably, there are six adjustment openings 15 on the upper surface of the second end 11 of the band (as shown in Figure 9). The openings on each of the first and second ends of the band are substantially covered by locking plates (17,19), which further define therein a plurality of slots or shapes 21 in each of the locking plates (17,19), as shown in Figure 5, by which a locking key 23 (see Figure 8) having a similar matching plurality of slots or shapes thereon, can be inserted therethrough to unlock or adjust the device (as more fully described herein). When the second end 11 of the band is inserted into and received by the first end 9 of the band, the spring loaded prongs 25, which are positioned on a bottom of the locking plate of the second end of the band, are initially retracted, as the second end 11 of the band enters into the first end 9 of the band, permitting the second end 11 of the band to move freely into the first end 9 of the band, as shown in Figure 3.

When the locking plates (17,19) of the first and second bands are finally aligned in the selected adjustment position (with the locking plate of the first end of the band 17 being positioned above the selected locking plate 19 of the second end of the band, as shown in Figure 5), the spring loaded prongs 25 on the bottom of the second end 11 of the band are extended into a recessed cavity, referred to generally as 27 in Figure 5, on a bottom interior surface 29 of the band, once the second end 11 of the band has been inserted to a certain length into the first end 9 of the band. Obviously, a depth of the locking plate 19 of the second end of the band 11 will be larger than a depth of the locking plate 17 of the first end of the band 9, whereby the prongs 25 positioned on the bottom of the locking plate 19 of the second end of the band 11 will engage with and contact the bottom interior surface 29 of the first end 9 of the band. Once the spring loaded prongs 25 have been extended, t he s pring 1 oaded p rongs 2 5"lock"t he first and s econd e nds of the b and t ogether, preventing removal of the device by the user without the locking key 23 which is unique to that device.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the locking plates (17,19) of the first and second ends of the band possess a similar matching plurality of slots or shapes 21, as shown in Figure 5, which align when superimposed one upon the other as the second end 11 of the band is inserted into an engagement position with the first end 9 of the band, and which will each receive the locking key 23 that can be inserted therethrough to unlock or adjust the device. Each of the locking plates (17,19) are displaceable by the locking key from a locked position to an opening or adjustment position. The locking key 23 has a plurality of locking members which will correspond to and engagingly fill the respective shapes or slots 21 in each of the locking plates (17,19), these being engageable with the respective shapes or slots 21 of the locking plates (17,19) when the key is inserted (preferably, vertically downwards) into the aligned locking plates (17,19). The key thus inserted, permits the spring loaded prongs 25 on the bottom of the locking plate 19 to retract, thus allowing the second end 11 of the band to be adjusted (in relation to the first end of the band 9) or removed altogether from the first end 9 of the band. In a preferred embodiment, the locking key operates as a push cylinder, whereby the key can be inserted through the slots or shapes 21 on each of the locking plates 17,19, to engage and retract the spring loaded prongs 25.

As illustrated in Figure 6, the adjustable band 7 of the necklace or watch comprises an outer shell 31, comprising a mixture of titanium and stainless steel, which covers the middle portion 33 of the band. In one embodiment, the middle portion 233 of the band comprises bullet proof fibre glass, with the G. P. S. wires passing through and being surrounded by this. Thus, the wires are protected from attempts to"cut"the band of the necklace or watch to remove the G. P. S portable transmitter from the person. The middle portion 33 resides upon an inner shell 35, which is again comprised of a mixture of titanium and stainless steel. The outer shell 31, the middle portion 33 and the inner shell 35 are then wrapped and enveloped in a protective layer of waterproof rubber 37, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, which protects the device from submersion in water. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring unit has a caller number detecting function for authenticating the customer by comparing a caller number with the customer identification number.

The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments.

However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.