GB2591248A

GB2591248A - Tracking device

Info

Publication number: GB2591248A
Application number: GB2000897.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: De-Veer John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-01-22
Filing date: 2020-01-22
Publication date: 2021-07-28
Also published as: GB202000897D0

Abstract

A tracking device 1 comprises a power supply; a GPS device which provides location specific data of the device; a fingerprint scanner 4 which is operable to detect the identity of a user and to provide an authentication signal indicative of an authorised user; and a transmitter/receiver which receives an authorisation signal from the fingerprint scanner and is operable to communicate with a remote bank account to confirm the identity of a user. The device can include means for communicating with an automatic telling machine (ATM), a lanyard attachment 8, a micro USB charging port and a panic button operable to transmit an alert signal when activated which may be remotely communicated to additional users. The device may also emit a visible or audible signal.

Description

TRACKING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tracking device, and in particular to tracking device comprising GPS tracking technology which is configured to interact with a user's bank account and/or an ATM.

Background

There is a growing concern amongst parents for their children's safety when away from the home environment. With parents working longer hours, children often use public transport to get to and from school and to other activities. There is however a risk that a child may be placed in a dangerous position if they become lost, are unable to contact their parents (by for example losing their mobile phone) or do not have access to money, for example by losing their bank card.

There is therefore a need for a device which provides real time tracking of a child to provide reassurance to a parent or guardian. There is a need for a device which provides real time tracking of a child to a parent or guardian without the child being aware that their location is being monitored. There is a need for a device which can operate as a replacement bank card so as to provide a child with access to their bank account. There is a need for a device which can be operated remotely by a parent or guardian to add funds to the child's bank account.

Prior Art

US8436712 discloses a card having a magnetic strip with pertinent information encoded by the issuer. The magnetic strip provides monetary transaction capability, facility access, security access, and privilege access so that the card can be encoded as desired by the issuer. The magnetic strip and CPU also include medical information of a user. The card also has a battery pack that is in communication with the internally housed transponder, CPU, and GPS capability.

US20080001815 discloses a micro-tracking device for tracing action track of animals is disclosed. The micro-tracking device has a weight between 1 and 10 grams and is fastened on an animal and captures action track information (for example, a current height value and a speed value of about flight animal, current position and time information about the flight animal) of the animal using GPS.

US20150206416 discloses a system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to track the location of lost payment cards.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tracking device comprising a housing within or on which is mounted: a power supply; a GPS device which is connected to the power supply and is configured to provide location specific data of the device; a fingerprint scanner is powered by the power supply and is operable to detect identity of a user and to provide an authentication signal indicative of an authorised user; and a transmitter/receiver receives an authorisation signal from the fingerprint scanner and is operable to communicate with a remote bank account to confirm the identity of a user.

In one embodiment, the device includes a means for communicating with an automatic telling machine (ATM) to enable the user access the bank account via the ATM.

In one embodiment, an attachment mechanism is provided for attaching the tracking 30 device to a user. Preferably, the attachment mechanism is a lanyard.

In one embodiment, the tracking device includes at least one charging port. Preferably, the at least one charging port is adapted to connect to a mobile telephone.

In one embodiment, the tracking device comprises a USB charging port or a micro USB charging port.

In one embodiment, the tracking device includes a panic button operable to transmit 5 an alert signal when activated. Preferably the signal is an audible and/or visible signal.

In one embodiment, the communication device is operable to communicate a remote signal to one or more additional users indicating that the panic button has been 10 operated. Operation of the panic button may communicate location of the user to one or more additional users The tracking device of the present invention preferably provides continuous, real time tracking of the user due to the presence of the GPS technology using GPS coding.

The communication device may be operable to communicate with the bank account of a user, for example to provide access to the bank account to determine current balance and/or status of bank account, on confirmation of the user's identity.

The communication device may be operable to communicate with an ATM to enable the user access to the associated bank account, and to withdraw money from the ATM. For example, the communication device may be operable to act as a bank card for the associated bank account, on confirmation of the user's identity.

The communication device may be operable to authorise payments from an associated bank account of a user, on confirmation of the user's identity. For example, the communication device may be operable to authorise payments from an associated bank account of a user, on confirmation of the user's identity, in a shop, in a canteen, in a café or restaurant. In one embodiment, the communication device of the tracking device may be operable to authorise payments to a school canteen, on confirmation of the user's identity.

The power supply may be a battery pack, for example a rechargeable battery pack. The power supply may for example be 2000-3000 mAh battery pack.

The housing may be ergonomically shaped to be held comfortably within the hand of a user.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for 5 producing a tracking device as herein described comprising: obtaining a power supply; obtaining a GPS device and connecting the GPS device to the power supply such that the GPS device is configured to provide location data relating to a user of the tracking device; obtaining a fingerprint scanner and connecting the fingerprint scanner to the power supply such that the fingerprint scanner is operable to detect identity of a user and to provide an authentication signal indicative of an authorised user; and obtaining a transmitter/receiver and connecting the transmitter/receiver to the fingerprint scanner such that the transmitter/receiver is operable to receive an 15 authorisation signal from the fingerprint scanner and operable to communicate with a remote bank account to confirm the identity of a user.

The method may further comprise mounting a panic button, for example an SOS panic button, within or on the housing.

The method may further comprise mounting the tracking device within a housing. The method may further comprise mounting a charging port within or on the housing.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example 25 only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective front view of one 30 embodiment of the tracking device of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective rear view of the tracking device of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the tracking device of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the tracking device 1 comprises a housing 2 within 5 or on which is mounted: a power supply; a GPS device which is connected to the power supply and is configured to provide location specific data of the device; a fingerprint scanner 4 is powered by the power supply and is operable to detect identity of a user and to provide an authentication signal indicative of an authorised user; and a transmitter/receiver receives an authorisation signal from the fingerprint scanner 4 and is operable to communicate with a remote bank account to confirm the identity of a user.

The communication device is operable to communicate with the bank account of a user on confirmation of the user's identity. The communication device is operable to communicate with an ATM to enable the user access to the associated bank account, on confirmation of the user's identity. The communication device is operable to authorise payments from an associated bank account of a user, on confirmation of the user's identity. The housing further comprises a keyboard 6 on which the user may input information, for example numbers (for example PIN number of an amount for withdrawal) to effect communication with an ATM or an associated bank account.

The tracking device 1 further comprises an attachment mechanism 8 in the form of a lanyard for attachment of the tracking device 1 to a user.

The tracking device 1 further comprises a panic button 10 operable to emit a signal when activated by a user. The signal may be an audible and/or visible signal. The communication device may be operable to communicate a remote signal to one or more additional users indicating that the panic button has been operated by the user.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1 A tracking device comprising a housing within or on which is mounted: a power supply; a GPS device which is connected to the power supply and is configured to provide location specific data of the device; a fingerprint scanner is powered by the power supply and is operable to detect identity of a user and to provide an authentication signal indicative of an authorised user; and a transmitter/receiver receives an authorisation signal from the fingerprint scanner and is operable to communicate with a remote bank account to confirm the identity of a user.
2. The tracking device as claimed in claim 1 in wherein the device includes a means for communicating with an automatic telling machine (ATM) to enable the user access the bank account via the ATM.
3. The tracking device as claimed in claim 2 wherein an attachment mechanism is provided for attaching the tracking device to a user.
4. The tracking device as claimed in claim 3, in which the attachment mechanism is a lanyard.
5. The tracking device as claimed in any preceding claim includes at least one charging port.
6. The tracking device as claimed in claim 5, in which the at least one charging port is adapted to connect to a mobile telephone.
7. The tracking device as claimed in claim 6, in which the tracking device comprises a USB charging port or a micro USB charging port.
8. The tracking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the tracking device includes a panic button operable to transmit an alert signal when activated.
9. The tracking device as claimed in claim 8, in which the signal is an audible and/or visible signal.
10. The tracking device as claimed in either of claim 8 or 9, in which the communication device is operable to communicate a remote signal to one or more additional users indicating that the panic button has been operated.