TRACKING DEVICE PROGRAM

• US 20150356862A1
• Filed: 06/10/2014
• Published: 12/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PB, Inc.
• Original Assignee: PebbleBee LLC
• Inventors: Daoura, Daniel, Pearson-Franks, Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 9,892,626 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity

Abstract

In a tracking device 10, a crescent-shaped PCB 12 partially encircles a battery 15 to minimize thickness of the device 10. A speaker 23 and an LED 24 emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus 37 or in response to motion or temperature sensed by sensor 25. A local network 40 has one hub 41 to tracking devices 33 and a wider area network 45 has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of devices 33. A wide area network 50 tracks devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data.

Claims

1. A computer program for controlling operation of a control apparatus having a transceiver for receiving transmissions from a tracking devices including motion information of the sensor in the tracking device comprising:

selecting one or more functions of the control apparatus for remote control;

establishing communications for the control apparatus to receive transmissions of motion information from the tracking device;

moving the tracking device in one or more directions; and

actuating a single action multifunction apparatus on the tracking device to save in a memory of the control apparatus information corresponding to the motion of the tracking device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the single action multifunction input apparatus is a button an external surface of the tracking device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the functions of the control apparatus paired to motion of tracking device include one or more of group comprising taking a picture, sending a predetermined email, sending a predetermined text message, operating an alarm on the control apparatus, or operating a light on the control apparatus.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein any motion of the tracking device is paired with an alarm in the control apparatus.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the control apparatus detects a range of distance between the tracking device and the control apparatus and triggers an alarm on the control apparatus when the range exceeds a predetermined distance.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the control apparatus comprise one or more of the group comprising a computer, a tablet, a smartphone, and a personal digital assistant.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the control apparatus has a GPS module and the function executed by the control apparatus depends upon the location of the control apparatus.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the control apparatus has a clock and the function executed by the control apparatus depends upon time.

9. A computer program for operating a control apparatus and a controlled tracking device in accordance with the following steps:

selecting at least one alert;

monitoring transmissions from the tracking device of signals representative of a first condition and determining when the first condition is met;

monitoring a second condition and determining when the second condition is met;

associating the first and second conditions to trigger an alert when both conditions are met.

10. The computer program of claim 9 wherein the first condition is the strength of the signal of the tracking device, which is representative of the distance between the tracking device and the control device.

11. The computer program of claim 9 wherein the second condition is the time of day.

12. The method of claim 9 comprising monitoring three or more conditions, determining when each of the monitored conditions is met and associating the monitored conditions with each other to trigger an alert when all the monitored conditions are met.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the transmissions from the tracking device comprise signals representative of any motion of the tracking device.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the transmissions from the tracking device comprise signals representative of motion any one or more of nine axes.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising displaying the speed and direction of travel of the tracking device.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein the transmissions from the tracking device comprise signals representative of ambient temperature sensed by the tracking device.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein a second condition is the time of day.

18. The method of claim 9 wherein a second condition is one or more days of the week.

19. The method of claim 9 wherein a second condition is location of the control apparatus.

20. The method of claim 9 wherein a second condition is location of the tracking device.

21. The method of claim 9 wherein the alert is on at least one of the tracking device and the control apparatus.

22. The method of claim 9 wherein the second condition is the status of charge for a battery powering the control apparatus.

23. The method of claim 9 wherein the second condition is the tracking device is out of range of the control apparatus.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the second condition is the tracking device returns to within range of the control apparatus.

25. The method of claim 9 further comprising setting the control apparatus to take one or more actions in accordance with operation of a switch on the tracking device.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the one or more actions include at least one of sounding an audible alarm, taking a picture, sending an email, and sending a text message.

27. The method of claim 9 further comprising enabling the control apparatus to display a map indicating the location of the tracking device.

28. The method of claim 9 further comprising enabling the control apparatus to share control of the tracking device with another control apparatus.

29. The method of claim 9 enabling the control apparatus to designate the tracking device as lost.

30. The method of claim 9 enabling the control apparatus to designate the transmission from the control apparatus as private and only available to the control apparatus.

31. The computer program of claim 9 further comprising:

detecting a tracking device; and

acquiring control of the detected tacking device.

32. The computer program of claim 31 further comprising releasing control of the tracking device.