Pet tracking systems, other tracking systems, and portable virtual fence
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A human or animal locating system, comprising:
- a tracking device which is associated with said human or animal, said tracking device including a position detection module for detecting a position of said tracking device, said position detection module being selectively activatable;
a base station, said base station and said tracking device being in communication by a radio frequency signal when both said base station and said tracking device are within a signal radius of an RF transmitter or transceiver;
a modem associated with said tracking device for transmitting or receiving signals, data or commands whichselectively transmits a signal through a wireless network when said base station and said tracking device are separated by a distance greater than said signal radius, andtransmits coordinate information through said wireless network obtained from said position detection module;
a battery associated with said tracking device for providing power for at least said modem and said position detection module; and
a service center whichi) receives said signal from said modem,ii) requests instructions from a remote party based on receipt of said signal from said modem and obtains instructions from said remote party to track said tracking device,iii) sends a wireless signal which activates said position detection module to detect coordinate information of said tracking device,iv) receives said coordinate information from said modem, andv) sends location information to said remote party.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tracking system includes a global positioning system (GPS) module and a modem for mobile communications both attached to a pet (or other trackee), and a virtual fence (which includes a base station sending a signal to a certain range and a receiver attached to the pet (or other trackee) and receiving the signal sent by a base station when the receiver is within the range of the base station). A portable virtual fence system includes a signal-sending base station, and a signal-receiver worn by a to-be-fenced pet or other trackee. Advantageously, the base station is portable.
115 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A human or animal locating system, comprising:
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a tracking device which is associated with said human or animal, said tracking device including a position detection module for detecting a position of said tracking device, said position detection module being selectively activatable; a base station, said base station and said tracking device being in communication by a radio frequency signal when both said base station and said tracking device are within a signal radius of an RF transmitter or transceiver; a modem associated with said tracking device for transmitting or receiving signals, data or commands which selectively transmits a signal through a wireless network when said base station and said tracking device are separated by a distance greater than said signal radius, and transmits coordinate information through said wireless network obtained from said position detection module; a battery associated with said tracking device for providing power for at least said modem and said position detection module; and a service center which i) receives said signal from said modem, ii) requests instructions from a remote party based on receipt of said signal from said modem and obtains instructions from said remote party to track said tracking device, iii) sends a wireless signal which activates said position detection module to detect coordinate information of said tracking device, iv) receives said coordinate information from said modem, and v) sends location information to said remote party. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for tracking a human or animal, comprising the steps of:
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attaching a tracking device to said human or animal, said tracking device including a position detection module for detecting a position of said tracking device, said position detection module being selectively activatable; positioning a base station at a desired location; transmitting a radio frequency signal from an RF transmitter or transceiver of a specified signal radius from one of said tracking device and said base station; detecting when said base station and said tracking device are separated by a distance greater than said signal radius; transmitting a signal through a wireless network when said base station and said tracking device are separated by said distance greater than said signal radius to a service center; determining, by said service center contacting a remote party, whether tracking should proceed; activating, by said service center, said position detection module to detect coordinate information of said tracking device; transmitting coordinate information through said wireless network obtained from said position detection module to said service center; and providing from said service center location information to said remote party based on said coordinate information. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification