Portable tracking apparatus for continuous position determination of criminal offenders and victims

A portable tracking apparatus for use in a wireless communication system, the portable tracking apparatus responsive to a message from the wireless communication system for determining its own spatial coordinates and conveying the spatial coordinates to a central data-base, the portable tracking apparatus adapted to communicate with a body-worn device, the portable tracking apparatus comprising

• (a) a housing having a top and bottom cover and four side walls, the top cover containing a message display and subject response switches, the bottom cover containing a battery pack and a connector panel for mating with a recharging stand, the top cover and bottom cover being affixed to the housing side walls by tamper resistant screws;
• (b) a memory card and a processor mounted within the housing for use with an algorithm to compare the current location of the portable tracking apparatus with a schedule of rules and location constraints stored in the memory card;
• (c) a means mounted within the housing to communicate with the central data-base and the body worn device;
• and
• (d) a motion detector mounted within the housing for determining movement of the portable tracking apparatus.

A method for use with a wireless communication system to determine by spatial coordinates the location of a portable tracking apparatus adapted to communicate with a subject's body-worn device and a central data-base, the method comprising

• (a) providing the portable tracking device with a means to communicate with a global positioning system satellite constellation to determine its position,
• (b) the portable tracking device sending signals to the central data-base to confirm the position of the portable tracking device,
• (c) the portable tracking device sending and receiving wireless signals to and from the body-worn device,
• (d) the portable tracking device sending an alarm to the central data-base if a subject tampers with the portable tracking device or body-worn device,
• (e) the portable tracking device receiving communications from the central data-base to download updated schedule rules and location constraints on the subject,
• (f) the portable tracking device providing a warning to the subject if the subject deviates from a programmed area of travel, and
• (g) the central data-base providing warnings to a subject victim if a subject offender violates a zone of protection.