Active wireless tag and auxiliary device for use with monitoring center for tracking individuals or objects
First Claim
1. A location tracking device, comprising:
- location circuitry configured to determine a location of the location tracking device;
wireless communications circuitry configured to;
transmit position data of the tracking device to a remote location; and
communicate locally within an auxiliary device; and
wherein the tracking device has a first operational mode in response to the absence of communication with the auxiliary device, wherein the tracking device is maintained in a normal operational mode;
wherein the tracking device is configured to enter a second operational mode in response to communication being established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, wherein in the second operational mode at least a portion of the tracking device is placed in a reduced operational mode;
wherein the reduced operational mode of the tracking device relative to the normal operational mode includes at least;
(a) the location circuitry determines location less often, and/or (b) the wireless communications circuitry transmits position data less often.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A location tracking device is provided. Wireless communications circuitry is configured to transmit position data representative of the location of the tracking device to a remote location, and communicate locally within an auxiliary device. The tracking device has a first operational mode in response to the absence of communication with the auxiliary device, where the tracking device is maintained in a normal operational mode. The tracking device is configured to enter a second operational mode in response to communication being established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, where in the second operational mode at least a portion of the tracking device is placed in a reduced operational mode.
57 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A location tracking device, comprising:
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location circuitry configured to determine a location of the location tracking device; wireless communications circuitry configured to; transmit position data of the tracking device to a remote location; and communicate locally within an auxiliary device; and wherein the tracking device has a first operational mode in response to the absence of communication with the auxiliary device, wherein the tracking device is maintained in a normal operational mode; wherein the tracking device is configured to enter a second operational mode in response to communication being established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, wherein in the second operational mode at least a portion of the tracking device is placed in a reduced operational mode; wherein the reduced operational mode of the tracking device relative to the normal operational mode includes at least;
(a) the location circuitry determines location less often, and/or (b) the wireless communications circuitry transmits position data less often. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A location tracking system comprising:
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an auxiliary device having short range wireless circuitry; a locating tracking device, comprising; wireless communication circuitry configured to; transmit position data representative of the location of the tracking device to a remote location; communicate locally with the short range wireless circuitry of the auxiliary device, and wherein the tracking device has a first operational mode in response to the absence of communication with the auxiliary device, wherein the tracking device is maintained in a normal operational mode; wherein the tracking device is configured to enter a second operational mode in response to communication being established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, wherein in the second operational mode at least portions of the tracking device is placed in a reduced operational mode; wherein the reduced operational mode of the tracking device relative to the normal operational mode includes at least;
(a) the location circuitry determines location less often, and, or (b) the wireless communications circuitry transmits position data less often. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 25, 26)
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15. A location tracking method comprising:
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providing wireless communications circuitry configured to; transmit position data representative of the location of the tracking device to a remote location; and communicate locally within an auxiliary device; and wherein the tracking device has a first operational mode in response to the absence of communication with the auxiliary device, wherein the tracking device is maintained in a normal operational mode; wherein the tracking device is configured to enter a second operational mode in response to communication being established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, wherein in the second operational mode at least portions of the tracking device is placed in a reduced operational mode; wherein the reduced operational mode of the tracking device relative to the normal operational mode includes at least;
(a) the location circuitry determines location less often, and/or (b) the wireless communications circuitry transmits position data less often. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27)
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23. A tracking system, comprising:
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an auxiliary device including second short range wireless communications circuitry; a monitoring device, comprising; location circuitry configured to determine a location of the monitoring device; cellular communication circuitry that transmits position data from the monitoring device; first short range wireless communications circuitry having a shorter range than the cellular communication circuitry; the monitoring device having first and second operating modes, wherein; the first operating mode is during times when the monitoring device is not in communication with the auxiliary device, in which the monitoring device repeatedly determines its location and transmits the determined location to a remote location via the cellular communication circuitry; and the monitoring device transitions from the first operating mode to the second operating mode in response to the monitoring device entering into communication with the auxiliary device through the first and second wireless communication circuitry; wherein when in the second operating mode, the monitoring device determines its location, becomes wirelessly tethered to the auxiliary device, and subsequently reduces the operations of the location circuitry; wherein the combination of the initially determined location and the tethered status of the monitoring device to the auxiliary device replaces location determinations for at least portions of the second operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification