A method for operating a system for monitoring a first location of at least one of a plurality of electrically-operated devices from a remote location and also to transmit command functions from said remote location to a control module located on each of said electrically-operated devices, comprising the following steps:
- providing said system, further comprising:
- a handheld controller for wirelessly communicating command functions via a first transmitter bi-directional data stream, further comprising:
- a housing;
- a graphic output screen located in an upper half of said housing;
- a controller antenna located on top of said handheld controller to transmit and receive said transmitter bi-directional data stream from said second location to a transmission relaying system;
- a transceiver in electrical communication with said controller antenna;
- a set of function keys, comprising:
- a menu access button located below said graphic output screen for accessing menu functions;
- a numeric keypad located below said graphic output screen to access command functions;
- an enter button and a clear button located below said graphic output screen to enter said command functions;
- a series of selection keys located below said graphic output screen to access displayed items or options on said graphic output screen;
- a microprocessor storing preloaded command functions, activated by said function keys and located within said housing, and converting said command functions to an RF signal;
- and,
- a command-accepted light emitting diode located below said graphic output screen to confirm to a user that said command functions as entered into said handheld controller were acknowledged by said control module;
- said transmission relaying system, for receiving said transmitter bi-directional data stream and generating and transmitting a receiver bi-directional data stream;
- and,
- a control module removably mounted on each of said plurality of electrically-operated devices for receiving said receiver bi-directional data stream, acting on said command functions, and generating physical location data via a GPS tracking system for transmission via said receiver bi-directional data stream, said control module comprises a mountable enclosure further comprises:
- an electrical power cord for supplying power;
- a power supply receiving an alternating current (AC) from said electrical power cord ahead of a main power relay in electrical communication with said electrically-operated device, wherein said power supply produces and conducts a regulated output voltage to a GPS receiver;
- an indicator light for acknowledging receipt of power to said control module;
- a GPS receiver in electrical communication with said power supply;
- and,
- a controller, comprising a digital controller or an embedded processor and provides an electrical current to said main power relay, thus closing a circuit between said electrical power cord and an electrical power circuit of said electrically-operated device upon receiving a valid command function from said handheld controller via said transmission relaying system;
- wherein said GPS receiver is a conventional digital data transceiver that generates a position location signal transmitted to a GPS satellite, receives said first location generated by said satellite, and communicates said first location to said controller;
- and,
- wherein said controller also communicates said first location information as provided by said GPS receiver to said control receiver for rebroadcast back to said handheld controller;
- installing said control module on each of said plurality of electrically-operated devices;
- supplying power to each control module and each of said plurality of electrically-operated devices;
- subscribing to a dedicated locator program utilizing said GPS satellite and said transmission relay system;
- entering a command function by using said handheld controller, wherein said command function is an initializing function, a disabling function, an enabling function, and a locating function.