Active Wireless Tag And Auxiliary Device For Use With Monitoring Center For Tracking Individuals or Objects

A auxiliary device for use with a location tracking device, the auxiliary device comprising:

• an auxiliary device ID and wireless circuitry that communicates the auxiliary device ID to the location tracking device
• wherein the location device has position determining circuitry and first wireless circuitry that communicates position data representative of the location of the tracking device to a remote location, second wireless circuitry that communicates with the auxiliary device, and
• wherein the tracking device has at least two operational modes and wherein the tracking device switches operational modes when communication is established between the location tracking device and the auxiliary device.

A location tracking system comprising:

• a tracking device having position determining circuitry and first wireless circuitry for communicating position data representative of the location of the device to a remote location and second wireless circuitry,
• an auxiliary device having wireless circuitry that communicates with the tracking device second wireless circuitry,
• wherein the tracking device has at least two operational modes and wherein the tracking device switches operational modes when communication is established between the location tracking device and the auxiliary device.

A location tracking method comprising:

• providing a tracking device having position determining circuitry and first wireless circuitry that communicates position data representative of the location of the device to a remote location and second wireless circuitry,
• providing an auxiliary device having wireless circuitry that communicates with the tracking device second wireless circuitry,
• wherein the tracking device has at least two operational modes and wherein the tracking device switches operational modes when communication is established between the location tracking device and the auxiliary device.

The method of claim 23 wherein the auxiliary device has an ID and wherein the tracking device has a first operational mode, when communication is not established with the auxiliary device, wherein the position determining circuitry is maintained in a normal power state and a second operational mode, when communication is established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, wherein the second wireless circuitry receives the auxiliary device ID from the auxiliary device and the first wireless circuitry communicates the auxiliary device ID to the remote location.