Apparatus and method for locating individuals and objects using tracking devices
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a monitoring station that is remotely accessible through a user interface, the interface being adapted to provide a visually cognizable rendering of an area and a tool useful for selecting at least a portion of the area, and to communicate a first request signal to provide location coordinates of a first tracking device;
wherein the first tracking device comprises a first transceiver adapted to receive the first request signal, and to transmit a first reply signal that comprises a first identification code; and
a second tracking device having a second transceiver which is adapted to receive the first reply signal, compare the first identification code to a stored identification code, and communicate to the monitoring station a second reply signal that comprises location coordinates of the first tracking device in part responsive to verification of the first identification code.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring objects and individuals. In this system, a monitoring station is remotely accessible through a user interface. The interface is adapted to provide a visually cognizable rendering of an area and a tool useful for selecting at least a portion of said area, and to communicate a first request signal to provide location coordinates of a first tracking device. The first tracking device comprises a first transceiver adapted to receive the first request signal, and to transmit a first reply signal that comprises a first identification code. In addition, a second tracking device having a second transceiver is adapted to receive the first reply signal, compare the first identification code to a stored identification code, and communicate to the monitoring station a second reply signal that comprises location coordinates of the first tracking device in part responsive to verification of the first identification code.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a monitoring station that is remotely accessible through a user interface, the interface being adapted to provide a visually cognizable rendering of an area and a tool useful for selecting at least a portion of the area, and to communicate a first request signal to provide location coordinates of a first tracking device;
wherein the first tracking device comprises a first transceiver adapted to receive the first request signal, and to transmit a first reply signal that comprises a first identification code; and
a second tracking device having a second transceiver which is adapted to receive the first reply signal, compare the first identification code to a stored identification code, and communicate to the monitoring station a second reply signal that comprises location coordinates of the first tracking device in part responsive to verification of the first identification code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system comprising:
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a first tracking device having a first transceiver configured to receive a first request signal from a remote user terminal, and to transmit a first reply signal that comprises a first identification code; and
a second tracking device having a second transceiver that is configured to;
(i) receive the first reply signal;
(ii) compare the first identification code to a stored identification code;
(iii) determine location coordinates of the first tracking device; and
(iv) communicate a second reply signal that comprises the location coordinates to a monitoring station connected to the user terminal in part responsive to verification of the first identification code.
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6. A system comprising:
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a first tracking device having a first transceiver configured to receive a first request signal and to transmit a first reply signal that comprises first location data, a first microprocessor configured to process a first request signal provided through a user interface that is remotely located, and a first identification code communicated as part of a first reply signal; and
a second tracking device having a second tracking transceiver adapted to receive the first reply signal, and verify the first identification code as a recognized code, and in response communicate a second reply signal that comprises a second identification code to the first tracking device;
wherein the first tracking device is adapted to calculate, in response to the second reply signal, a distance between the first and the second devices, and communicate an adjustment signal that comprises at least one of verbal and audio queues that indicates directional information of the first tracking device relative to the second tracking device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system comprising:
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a first mobile transceiver station configured to communicate between a first tracking device and a monitoring station; and
a second mobile transceiver station configured to communicate between the first tracking device and the monitoring station;
wherein the monitoring station is remotely accessible through a user interface, the user interface being configured to provide a map and a designation tool for use in selecting a zone on the map, and communicate a first request for position coordinates of the first tracking device;
wherein the first tracking device comprises a first transceiver configured to receive the first request signal and to transmit a first reply signal that comprises a first identification code; and
wherein the first tracking device is adapted to receive a second identification code from the monitoring station and compares this code to a stored identification code, and upon determining that the second identification code matches the stored identification code, transmit its position coordinates to the monitoring station. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for locating a tracking device, comprising:
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activating the tracking device;
receiving a signal sent from a monitoring station to the tracking device, the signal including a user'"'"'s identification code;
recognizing the user'"'"'s identification code as a location request pertaining to the tracking device;
requesting positioning coordinates;
formatting a response to the location request including the positioning coordinates, the response including location data pertaining to the tracking device in part response to a level of the signal;
transmitting the response to a server; and
rendering the tracking device location within a map that contains a user-defined arbitrary shaped safe zone. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of determining location via a tracking device associated with an individual or an object to be located, the method comprising:
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receiving a location request from a user;
activating a positioning apparatus associated with the tracking device;
transmitting to the tracking device;
(i) a first signal from a monitoring station;
(ii) a second signal from a wireless location and tracking system;
(iii) a third signal from a mobile transceiver; and
(iv) a fourth signal from an adjacent tracking device;
determining which of the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal match defined selection criteria stored in the tracking device;
determining location data in part based on a signal selected utilizing the defined selection criteria;
transmitting the location data to the monitoring station for analysis to determine a location of the tracking device; and
informing the user of the location of the tracking device on a map. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system comprising:
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a wireless monitoring device associated with a remote user;
a first tracking device that provides a wireless positioning signal to a monitoring station; and
a mapping apparatus that maps first location coordinates of the first tracking device on a map comprising an arbitrarily shaped safe zone;
wherein the remote user is capable of locating, tracking, and communicating with the first tracking device through a monitoring station; and
wherein the monitoring station is adapted to monitor the first location coordinates and second location coordinates of a second tracking device so that positioning information of each is accessible to the remote user. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification