Tracking Device Programs, Systems and Methods
AssigneePB, Inc
InventorsDaniel J. Daoura, Nicholas R. Pearson-Franks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a tracking device 10, a crescent-shaped PCB 12 partially encircles a battery 15 to minimize thickness of the device 10. A speaker 23 and an LED 24 emit alerts upon command of a control apparatus 37 or in response to motion or temperature sensed by sensor 25. A local network 40 has one hub 41 to tracking devices 33 and a wider area network 45 has multiple hubs for more detailed tracking of devices 33. A wide area network 50 tracks devices anywhere and stores data of each tracking device including its last known position and its sensor data. An apparatus and methods for finding and tracking a plurality of radiotag/objects designated as a group 303 by a user.
Claims31
A method for operating a programmable tracking device system, the method comprising:
- a) providing a tracking device having a processor, supporting logic and power circuitry, one or more sensors, a speaker and a light under processor control, a memory cache, and a bluetoothed radio set for transmitting a beacon signal, the signal consisting essentially of a unique identifier characteristic of the tracking device, bluetoothed formatting, and a sensor datum or data output from the at least one of the one or more sensors;
- b) providing a program having a processor-executable instruction set installable on a control apparatus, the control apparatus having a processor for executing the instruction steps, memory for storing the program and programmable selections by a user, a clock, a speaker, a display and graphical user interface, one or more sensors including at least a motion sensor, and a bluetoothed radio set, said program enabling:
- i) the control apparatus to detect and receive beacon signals from the tracking device whenever the tracking device is in radio range of the control apparatus and to acquire remote control of the tracking device;
- ii) the tracking device to remotely control the control apparatus;
- c) after the program is installed on the control apparatus, in one operation, by the control apparatus, operating the control apparatus to trigger an audible or visible alert on the tracking device;
- and,
- d) in another operation, by the tracking device, operating the tracking device to trigger an audible or visible alert on the control apparatus, wherein the operations are performed using the bluetoothed radio sets.
An apparatus for finding and tracking a group of radiotags associated each with an object, which comprises:
- a) a plurality of tracking devices, each having a processor, supporting logic and power circuitry, one or more sensors, a speaker and a light under processor control, a memory cache, and a bluetoothed radio set for transmitting a beacon signal, the signal consisting essentially of a unique identifier characteristic of the tracking device, bluetoothed formatting, and a sensor datum or data output from the at least one of the one or more sensors, the plurality of tracking devices defining a group;
- b) a program having a processor-executable instruction set installable on a smart device, the smart device having a processor for executing the instruction steps, memory for storing the program and programmable selections by a user, a clock, a speaker, a display and graphical user interface, one or more sensors including at least a motion sensor, and a bluetoothed radio set, wherein the program when executed is configured to:
- i) display a screen having fields for setting up a group of objects, wherein each object is associated with one tracking device of the group and an icon to actuate a visual or audible alarm in each tracking device;
- ii) detect and receive beacon signals from the plurality of tracking devices whenever the tracking devices are in radio range of the control apparatus;
- iii) acquire radio remote control of the tracking devices;
- wherein the sensor data output from the tracking device comprises a motion sensor output, and the control apparatus associated with the tracking device is configured to monitor motion sensor output for an indication of acceleration or motion of the tracking device;
- wherein a first criterion entered into the processor-executable instruction set is a state of movement of the tracking device evidenced by the motion sensor output;
- a second criterion entered into the processor-executable instruction set is a location or a change in location of the control apparatus;
- and,
- then comparing, by the control apparatus, the relative movement, direction and location of the tracking device and the control apparatus;
- and triggering an alert if the criteria are inconsistent in velocity, direction or location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.