Technique for detecting tracking device tampering using an auxiliary device
First Claim
1. A method of detecting tampering with the operation of a location tracking device, the location tracking device being of the type that receives first signals at different times from first sources that are remote from the location tracking device, the location tracking device generating data representative of the location of the tracking device at such different times from the received first signals, the method comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a second signal at least one time, said second signal mimicking said first signals, said second signal being transmitted from a second signal source that is much closer to the location tracking device than said first sources;
receiving said second signal at said location tracking device; and
processing said received second signal to determine whether there has been tampering with the ability of the location tracking device to receive said first signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A technique is disclosed for detecting the presence of a certain form of tampering with respect to the operation of a tracking device. The tracking device is of the kind that receives signals from which the location of the tracking device is determined and the tampering that is detected is of the kind wherein signal shielding material is intentionally placed around the tracking device so as to interfere with its ability to receive these signals. In accordance with the present invention, an auxiliary device transmits a signal that mimics certain characteristics of the signal received by the tracking device and from which the location of the tracking device is determined. The auxiliary device is disposed close to the tracking device so that the tracking device is able to receive the mimicking signal from the auxiliary device even when the tracking device is disposed in a location wherein the ability of the tracking device'"'"'s to receive its location-determining signal is poor or nonexistent. The signal transmitted by the auxiliary device is received at the tracking device and is then processed at such device or at another location to detect whether or not there has been tampering of the type described hereinabove. This processing of the auxiliary device signal may be alone or in combination with other signals received by the tracking device.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of detecting tampering with the operation of a location tracking device, the location tracking device being of the type that receives first signals at different times from first sources that are remote from the location tracking device, the location tracking device generating data representative of the location of the tracking device at such different times from the received first signals, the method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a second signal at least one time, said second signal mimicking said first signals, said second signal being transmitted from a second signal source that is much closer to the location tracking device than said first sources; receiving said second signal at said location tracking device; and processing said received second signal to determine whether there has been tampering with the ability of the location tracking device to receive said first signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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- 14. An apparatus configured for attachment to an entity having dimensions, said apparatus being configured to generate, and having a transmitter configured to transmit, an auxiliary signal that mimics certain characteristics of other signals from which a location can be determined, the auxiliary signal transmitted having a power level such that its transmission range is limited to the dimensions of the entity.
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18. A method of detecting tampering with the operation of a location tracking device, comprising:
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receiving at the tracking device first signals from first sources that are substantially remote from the location tracking device; generating data representative of the location of the tracking device from the received first signals; receiving a wireless second signal at the tracking device from a second source substantially proximate to the tracking device, the second signal mimicking at least one of the first signals; determining based on the received second signal whether there has been tampering with an ability of the location tracking device to receive said first signals. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus to assist in the detection of tampering with receipt of GPS signals, comprising:
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an attachment shell configured for attachment to an entity; a source of a data signal, the data signal mimicking certain characteristics of GPS signals; a transmitter having a power level configured to transmit the data signal only within the immediate vicinity of the entity.
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Specification