Reduced thickness tracking device

• US 10,074,049 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2016
• Issued: 09/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PB, Inc.
• Original Assignee: PB, Inc.
• Inventors: Daoura, Daniel, Pearson-Franks, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): LIN, SUN J
• Application Number:
  US15/382,245
• Publication Number:
  US 20170103297A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 320101
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 15/00 Key-rings
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 15/005 Fobs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 for collecting sensor information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0086 portable, e.g. battery operated apparatus casings for switching devices H01H9/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1427 Housings

Abstract

In a tracking device, a crescent-shaped printed circuit board (PCB) partially encircles a battery to minimize thickness of the tracking device. A speaker and a light emitting diode (LED) emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus or in response to a motion or a temperature sensed by a sensor. A local network has one hub for tracking a plurality of tracking devices and a wider area network has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of the plurality of tracking devices. The wide area network tracks the plurality of tracking devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data.

Claims

1. A tracking device comprising:

a first cover, wherein an inside edge of the first cover has a substantially circular cross-section;

a second cover, wherein the second cover is shaped to mate with the first cover;

wherein the first cover and the second cover form a cavity for receiving a battery when mated together;

a printed circuit board having at least one sensor and a transmitter for sending signals including a signal with information for identifying the tracking device, said printed circuit board having a crescent shape that includes a first edge shaped to follow the inside edge of the first cover and a second edge shaped to follow a curvature of the cavity for receiving the battery; and

at least one conductor coupled to the printed circuit board;

wherein the at least one conductor includes a protrusion configured to contact the battery when the battery is positioned within the cavity; and

wherein a non-conductive portion of the first cover or a non-conductive portion of the second cover holds the at least one conductor against the battery while the battery is positioned within the cavity.

2. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter uses a low-energy transmission protocol.

3. The tracking device of claim 2, wherein the transmitter is a Bluetooth transmitter.

4. The tracking device of claim 3, wherein the low-energy transmission protocol is Bluetooth low energy (BTLE).

5. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein one of the first cover or the second cover has an opening for admitting the battery.

6. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board has a mechanical button.

7. The tracking device of claim 6, wherein the first cover or the second cover includes an opening for a multi-function button that is aligned with the mechanical button of the printed circuit board.

8. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board includes a speaker.

9. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board includes at least one area having components aligned in a first direction and at least one area having components aligned in a second direction.

10. A tracking device comprising:

a first nonconductive housing member;

a second nonconductive housing member configured to mate with the first nonconductive housing member such that a cavity is formed between the first nonconductive housing member and the second nonconductive housing member, wherein the cavity is shaped to receive a battery;

a printed circuit board positioned between the first nonconductive housing member and the second nonconductive housing member, wherein the printed circuit board has a transmitter for sending signals including a signal with information for identifying the tracking device, wherein the printed circuit board has an outer edge of a first curvature and an inner edge of a second curvature different from the first curvature, wherein the outer edge is shaped to fit within the first nonconductive housing member and the second nonconductive housing member, and wherein the inner edge is shaped to fit around the cavity; and

at least one conductor coupled to the printed circuit board and configured to be in contact with a terminal of the battery disposed within the cavity;

wherein the first nonconductive housing member or the second nonconductive housing member holds the at least one conductor against the battery.

11. The tracking device of claim 10, wherein the first nonconductive housing member or the second nonconductive housing member includes an opening for admitting the battery to the cavity.

12. The tracking device of claim 11, further comprising a means for retaining the battery within the cavity.

13. The tracking device of claim 12, wherein the means for retaining the battery within the cavity includes a lid.

14. The tracking device of claim 10, wherein the transmitter uses a low-energy transmission technique.

15. The tracking device of claim 14, wherein the transmitter is a Bluetooth transmitter.

16. The tracking device of claim 15, wherein the low-energy transmission technique is Bluetooth low energy (BTLE).

17. The tracking device of claim 10, wherein the printed circuit board has a mechanical button.

18. The tracking device of claim 17, wherein the first nonconductive housing member or the second nonconductive housing member includes an opening for a multi-function button that is aligned with the mechanical button of the printed circuit board.

19. The tracking device of claim 10, wherein the printed circuit board includes a speaker.

20. The tracking device of claim 10, wherein the printed circuit board includes at least one area having components aligned in a first direction and at least one area having components aligned in a second direction.