Personal monitoring using a remote timer

Abstract

Method and apparatus for monitoring the status and location of personnel using a remote timer. In some embodiments, a system is provided having a network accessible device with a controller, a memory and a native sensor. A subject application (app) is installed as native programming by an original manufacturer of the network accessible device and has access to the native sensor. A timer circuit of a remote server initiates a monitored elapsed time interval responsive to execution of the subject app, and sends a notification signal to a monitoring device responsive to a conclusion of the monitored elapsed time interval without having received a disable communication from the network accessible device. The disable communication is generated by a biometric input supplied by a user of the network accessible device via the native sensor, with the biometric input serving as a personal identification (PID) for the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 initiating a countdown timer of a remote server to monitor an elapsed time interval responsive to execution of a subject application (app) on a network accessible device in communication with the remote server over a wireless network, the subject app installed by an original manufacturer of the network accessible device as native programming thereof and having access to at least one native sensor of the network accessible device; and   sending a notification to a monitoring device responsive to a conclusion of the monitored elapsed time interval without having received a disable communication from the network accessible device via the wireless network during the monitored elapsed time interval, the disable communication generated by a biometric input supplied by a user of the network accessible device using the at least one native sensor of the network accessible device, the biometric input serving as a personal identification (PID) for the user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the countdown timer is initiated responsive to the user accessing the at least one native sensor of the network accessible device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one native sensor detects a finger print of the user. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one native sensor is an accelerometer, and the countdown timer is initiated responsive to an acceleration event detected by the accelerometer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forwarding, from the remote server to the network accessible device over the network, at least one data request across the network; and   receiving, by the remote server from the network accessible device over the network, return data comprising at least a selected one of geo position data, time and data stamp data, battery level data, accelerometer data, or signal level data associated with the network accessible device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending a status request from the remote server to the network accessible device responsive to detection of a state of the network accessible device by a sensor accessible by the subject app, and receiving a response from the user to the status request. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising terminating further operation of the countdown timer responsive to the response from the user indicating the user is in a verified safe condition. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject app forms a portion of an operating system of the network accessible device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote server continuously maps geo positions of the network accessible device during the elapsed time interval responsive to geo position signals transmitted from the network accessible device and in relation to a predetermined known position. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending a clear signal from the network accessible device to the remote server to cancel the monitored elapsed time interval prior to conclusion thereof, the clear signal verified using a biometric input from the user to the network accessible device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting an exception condition during the elapsed time interval responsive to data transmitted to the remote server from the network accessible device, and forwarding a communication to the user of the network accessible device responsive to the exception condition. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elapsed time interval is initiated manually by the user of the network accessible device via the subject app. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elapsed time interval is initiated automatically by the remote server responsive to an output from the at least one native sensor supplied by the network accessible device via the subject app. 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising:
 a network accessible device having a controller, a memory and at least one native sensor, the controller configured to execute a subject application (app) installed in the memory as native programming thereof by an original manufacturer of the network accessible device, the subject app configured to access the at least one native sensor of the network accessible device; and   a remote server coupled to the network accessible device via an intervening wireless network, the remote server comprising a timer circuit configured to initiate a monitored elapsed time interval responsive to execution of the subject app, and to send a notification signal to a monitoring device responsive to a conclusion of the monitored elapsed time interval without having received a disable communication from the network accessible device via the wireless network during the monitored elapsed time interval, the disable communication generated by a biometric input supplied by a user of the network accessible device via the at least one native sensor, the biometric input serving as a personal identification (PID) for the user.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the remote server is further configured to monitor for an exception condition during the monitored elapsed time interval by evaluating data transmissions from the network accessible device generated responsive to the at least one native sensor of the network accessible device, and to send a communication to the user of the network accessible device responsive to detection of the exception condition. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the countdown timer is initiated responsive a detected state from the at least one native sensor of the network accessible device accessed by the subject app. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject app is configured to access the at least one sensor of the network accessible device to verify a fingerprint as the biometric input from the user. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein battery status data for a battery of the network accessible device is communicated to the remote server during the monitored elapsed time interval, and the 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the network accessible device is further configured to send, via the subject app, a clear signal to the remote server to cancel the monitored elapsed time interval prior to conclusion thereof, the clear signal verified using a biometric input from the user to the network accessible device. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the subject app forms a portion of an operating system of the network accessible dev