# US 2014/0155107 A1 · Tracking Apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155107 A1 - Document ID: US20140155107A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/937,346 - Filed: 2013-07-09 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04 - Assignees: 6317414 Manitoba Ltd - Applicants: 6317414 Manitoba Ltd. - Inventors: Rod Bruinooge; Chantale Bruinooge; Blake Friesen; Rick Baril; Kristjan Peterson; Howard Gin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155107A1 ## CPC - A63F 13/31: Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range - A63F 13/216: using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS - A63F 13/332: using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks - H04L 67/131: Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality - H04W 4/023: {using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds} - H04W 4/025: {using location based information parameters} - H04W 4/029: Location-based management or tracking services - H04W 76/10: Connection setup - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract An apparatus is provided for gaming or for other purposes where tracking of the relative location of a plurality of individuals can be used which includes for each person a wireless network device connected to a network. Each device detects a current location of the device while being carried for communication to a server arranged to communicate through the network with each of the devices having a downloaded program to obtain repeatedly an indication of the current location of the device. The server detects from the current locations when any two or more of the devices are within a predetermined distance and communicates to at least one of the devices when the location is within said predetermined distance. The signal can be used to trigger various events including actions in a gaming situation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for tracking the relative location a plurality of individuals for providing information to the individuals, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of wireless network devices each arranged to be carried by one individual of the plurality of individuals; a wireless network communication network for communication with the wireless network devices; each wireless network device having a location detection system for detecting a current location of the wireless network device while being carried; a server providing a downloadable program which can be communicated to a selected plurality of the wireless network devices for controlling operation of the wireless network device; a server having an operating program in communication with the network; the server being arranged to communicate through the network with each of the wireless network devices having the downloaded program to obtain repeatedly from those wireless network devices an indication of the current location of the respective wireless network device; the server being arranged to detect from said indications of the current location when any two or more of those wireless network devices have the location thereof within a predetermined distance; the server being arranged to communicate through the network a signal to at least one of said two or more of those wireless network devices when the location thereof is within said predetermined distance. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the server is arranged to communicate through the network a signal to both or all of said two or more of those wireless network devices when the location thereof is within said predetermined distance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined distance can be changed by selection of a setting on the program of the server. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined distance can be changed by selection of a setting on the downloaded program on one or more of the wireless network devices. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the server is arranged to communicate through the network to one or more of the wireless network devices having the downloaded program a map on which the current locations of some or all of the wireless network devices having the downloaded program are identified. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the server is arranged to communicate through the network to selected ones of the wireless network devices having the downloaded program a map on which the current locations of selected ones of the wireless network devices having the downloaded program are identified. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a list of the selected ones can be changed by selection of a setting on the program of the server. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a list of the selected ones can be changed by selection of a setting on the downloaded program on one or more of the wireless network devices. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the server is arranged to require the individual having the wireless network device which receives the signal to carry out a function. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the server is arranged to require the individual having the wireless network device which receives the signal to carry out a function by communicating with the server through the network. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said server initiates two-way communications between said two or more of those wireless network devices when the location thereof is within said predetermined distance. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said message is displayed to said two or more of those wireless network devices when the location thereof is within said predetermined distance so that the users can initiate communications with at least one of the other users located within said predetermined distance. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the downloaded program relates to a game to be played by the individuals having the wireless network devices having the downloaded program and wherein the server is arranged to require the individual having the wireless network device which receives the signal to carry out a function in the game by communicating with the server through the network. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the server is arranged to require the individuals having the wireless network device which receive the signal to carry out a function in the game by communicating with the other individual through the network. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the server is arranged to require the individuals having the wireless network device which receive the signal to carry out a combat action in the game by communicating with the other individual through the network. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the server is arranged to provide for each of the individuals a number of tokens and wherein the server is arranged to change the number of tokens of one or both individuals as a result of the combat action. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the server is arranged to release one or both of the individuals having the wireless network device which receive the signal from carrying out the function in the game in the event that said one of both of the individuals moves to a location further spaced from the other individual. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the downloaded program relates to a tracking of members of a selected group of the individuals having the wireless network devices having the downloaded program and wherein the server is arranged to allow individuals to select to become members of the group. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said predetermined distance can be changed by selection of a setting on the downloaded program on one or more of the wireless network devices of individuals of the group. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the server is arranged to communicate through the network to selected ones of the wireless network devices of the individuals of the group a map on which the current locations of selected ones of the wireless network devices of the group are identified. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein a list of the selected ones of the individuals of the group which receive the locations on the map can be changed by selection of a setting on the downloaded program on one or more of the wireless network devices of the group. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the downloaded program relates to a tracking of members of a predetermined group of the individuals having the wireless network devices, the group being related by a common identifier input to the server by a representative of the group. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the server is arranged to communicate through the network a signal to a third party when any two or more of those wireless network devices have the location thereof within said predetermined distance.