(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/017.4603 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 9, 2009
`Scalisi et al.
`
`US 2009017.4603A1
`
`(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`DETERMINING LOCATION AND TRACKING
`COORONATES OF A TRACKING DEVICE
`
`(76) Inventors:
`
`Joseph F. Scalisi, Yorba Linda, CA
`(US); David Butler, Staffordshire
`(GB); Roger B. Anderson, Areadia,
`CA (US); Desiree Mejia, Redondo
`Beach, CA (US); Michael L.
`Beydler, Irvine, CA (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`Law Office Of Robert E. Kasody,
`Professional Corporation
`6601 Center Drive West, Suite #500
`Los Angeles, CA 90045 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`11/969,905
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 6, 2008
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GOIS3/00
`(2006.01)
`GOIP 5/8
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................... 342/450; 702/141
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An apparatus to monitor location coordinates of an electronic
`tracking device. The apparatus includes a transceiver, a signal
`processor, an accelerometer, and an antenna. The antenna
`communicates signal strength, to the signal processor asso
`ciated with the electronic tracking device. In response to
`signal strength, a battery power monitor controls battery
`usage by electronic circuitry associated with the electronic
`tracking device. An accelerometer provides a Supplemental
`location tracking system to improve tracking accuracy of a
`primary location tracking system of the electronic tracking
`device.
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`S3O8
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`Activate accelerometer
`if power level = to or
`less than first signal
`level.
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`Processing unit
`Computes location
`COOrdinates
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`Antenna acquire
`snapshot information
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`Processor processes
`snapshot information
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`Determine power level
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`S302
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`S304
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`S306
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`Reactivate location
`tracking circuitry if power
`level greater than first
`signal level
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`S312
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2009/017.4603 A1
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`Jul. 9, 2009
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`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`DETERMINING LOCATION AND TRACKING
`COORONATES OF A TRACKING DEVICE
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application incorporates by reference in their
`entirety: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 1 1/753,979 filed on
`May 25, 2007, entitled Apparatus and Method for Providing
`Location Information on Individuals and Objects. Using
`Tracking Devices”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 1 1/933,
`024 filed on Oct. 31, 2007, entitled “Apparatus and Method
`for Manufacturing an Electronic Package”; U.S. patent appli
`cation Ser. No. 11/784,400 tiled on Apr. 5, 2007, entitled
`“Communication System and Method Including Dual Mode
`Capability”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/784,318 filed
`on Apr. 5, 2007, entitled “Communication System and
`Method Including Communication Billing Options’; and
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 1 1/935,901 filed on Nov. 6,
`2007, entitled “System and Method for Creating and Manag
`ing a Personalized Web Interface for Monitoring Location
`Information on Individuals and Objects. Using Tracking
`Devices.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002 1. Field of the Invention
`0003. The invention relates generally to the field of loca
`tion and tracking communication systems. More particularly,
`the present invention relates in one embodiment to an accel
`erometer incorporated as part of portable electronic tracking
`device for individuals and objects to improve monitoring by a
`wireless location and tracking system and/or wireless com
`munication system (WCS).
`0004 2. Description of Related Technology
`0005 Accelerometers are conventionally integrated into
`electronics systems that are part of a vehicle, vessel, and
`airplane to detect, measure, and monitor deflections, vibra
`tions, and acceleration. Accelerometers, for example, may
`include one or more Micro Electro-Mechanical System
`(MEMS) devices. In particular, MEMS devices include one
`or more Suspended cantilever beams (e.g., single-axis, dual
`axis, and three-axis models), as well as deflection sensing
`circuitry. Accelerometers are utilized by a multitude of elec
`tronics manufacturers.
`0006 For instance, electronics gaming manufacturers
`exploit an accelerometers deflection sensing capability, for
`instance, to measure device tilt and control game functional
`ity. In another instance, consumer electronics manufacturers,
`e.g., Apple, Ericsson, and Nike, incorporate accelerometers
`in personal electronic devices, e.g., Apple iPhone to provide
`a changeable screen display orientation that toggles between
`portrait and landscape layout window settings; to manage
`human inputs through a human interface, e.g., Apple iPod R.
`touch screen interface; and to measure game movement, and
`tilt, e.g., Wii gaming remotes. Still, others including automo
`bile electronics circuitry manufacturers utilize MEMS accel
`erometers to initiate airbag deployment in accordance with a
`detected collision severity level by measuring negative
`vehicle acceleration.
`0007. Other electronics manufacturer products, e.g.,
`Nokia 5500 sport, count step motions using a 3D accelerom
`eter, and translate user information via user's taps or shaking
`motion to select song titles and to enable mp3 player track
`Switching. In another instance, portable or laptop computers
`
`include hard-disk, drives integrated with an accelerometer to
`detect displacement or falling incidents. For instance, when a
`hard-disk accelerometer detects a low-g condition, e.g., indi
`cating free-fall and expected shock, a hard-disk write feature
`may be temporarily disabled to avoid accidental data over
`writing and prevent stored data corruption. After free-fall and
`expected shock, the hard-disk write feature is enabled to
`allow data to be written to one or more hard-disk tracks. Still
`others including medical product manufacturers utilize accel
`erometers to measure depth of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscita
`tion (CPR) chest compressions. Sportswear manufacturers,
`e.g., Nike sports watches and footwear, incorporate acceler
`ometers to feedback, speed and distance to a runner via a
`connected iPod R. Nano.
`0008 Still others including manufacturers of conventional
`inertial navigation systems deploy one or more accelerom
`eters as part of for instance, on-board electronics of a vehicle,
`vessel, train and/or airplane. In addition to accelerometer
`measurements, conventional inertial navigation systems inte
`grate one or more gyroscopes with the on-board electronics to
`assist tracking including performing various measurements,
`e.g., tilt, angle, and roll. More specifically, gyroscopes mea
`Sure angular Velocity, for instance, of a vehicle, vessel, train,
`and or airplane in an inertial reference frame. The inertial
`reference frame, provided, for instance, by a human operator,
`a GPS receiver, or position and velocity measurements from
`one or more motion sensors.
`0009 More specifically, integration of measured inertial
`accelerations commences with, for instance, original Veloc
`ity, for instance, of a vehicle, vessel, train, and or airplane to
`yield updated inertial system Velocities. Another integration
`of updated inertial system Velocities yields an updated inertial
`system orientation, e.g., tilt, angle, and roll, within a system
`limited positioning accuracy. In one instance to improve posi
`tioning accuracy, conventional inertial navigation, systems
`utilize GPS system outputs. In another instance to improve
`positioning accuracy, conventional inertial navigation sys
`tems intermittently reset to Zero inertial tracking Velocity, for
`instance, by stopping the inertial navigation system. In yet
`other examples, control theory and Kalman filtering provide
`a framework to combine motion sensor information in
`attempts to improve positional accuracy of the updated iner
`tial system orientation.
`0010 Potential drawbacks of many conventional inertial
`navigation systems include electrical and mechanical hard
`ware occupying a large real estate footprint and requiring
`complex electronic measurement and control circuitry with
`limited applicably to changed environmental conditions. Fur
`thermore, many conventional inertial navigation system cal
`culations are prone to accumulated acceleration and Velocity
`measurement errors. For instance, many conventional inertial
`navigation acceleration and Velocity measurement errors are
`on the order of 0.6 nautical miles per hour in position and
`tenths of a degree per hour in orientation.
`0011. In contrast to conventional inertial navigation sys
`tems, a conventional Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) sys
`tem uses Global Positioning Signals (GPS) to monitor and
`track location coordinates communicated between, location
`coordinates monitoring satellites and an individual or an
`object having a GPS transceiver. In this system, GPS moni
`toring of location coordinates is practical when a GPS trans
`ceiver receives at least a minimal GPS signal level. However,
`a minimal GPS signal level may not be detectable when an
`individual or object is not located in a skyward position. For
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`instance, when an individual or object carrying a GPS trans
`ceiver enters a covered structure, e.g., a garage, a parking
`structure, or a large building, GPS satellite communication
`signals may be obstructed or partially blocked, hindering
`tracking and monitoring capability. Not only is a GPS trans
`ceiver receiving a weak GPS signal, but also the GPS trans
`ceiver is depleting battery power in failed attempts to acquire
`communication signals from one or more location coordi
`nates monitoring satellites, e.g., GPS satellites, or out-of
`range location coordinates reference towers. Furthermore,
`weak GPS communication signals may introduce errors in
`location coordinates information.
`0012. In summary, electronic tracking device and method
`ology that provides additional advantages over conventional
`systems such as improved power management, e.g., efficient
`use of battery power and provide other improvements include
`Supplementing conventional electronic tracking device moni
`toring, e.g., increased measurement accuracy of location
`coordinates of objects and individuals traveling into and/or
`through a structure, e.g., a partially covered building, a park
`ing structure, or a substantially enclosed structure. Such as a
`basement or a storage area in a high-rise office building.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0013. In a first aspect of the present invention, a portable
`electronic apparatus for a tracking device is disclosed. The
`electronic apparatus includes a transceiver, an accelerometer,
`and an antenna. The antenna is disposed on the tracking
`device. The antenna is configured to communicate signal
`strength to a signal processor associated with the tracking
`device. In one variant, responsive to the signal strength, a
`battery management module (e.g., battery monitor) controls
`electronic components associated with the tracking device. In
`one variant, an accelerometer performs an acceleration mea
`Surement. In one variant, prior or nearby location coordinates
`associated with the tracking device are utilized or assist to
`compute current location coordinates information of the
`tracking device.
`0014. In a second aspect of the present invention, a method
`is disclosed to communicate location coordinates of a first,
`tracking device. In this method, a transceiver communicates
`measured signal strength. In response to measured signal
`strength level, a power management circuitry (e.g., battery
`monitor) controls power levels associated with the first track
`ing device to reduce or increase power consumption of a
`transceiver and its associated circuitry. In one variant, a user
`defines a first signal level, e.g., a threshold level, to commence
`accelerometer measurements. In one variant, if a first signal
`level is detected, an accelerometer measures displacement
`from prior location, coordinates of the first tracking device. In
`another variant, if a first signal level is detected, an acceler
`ometer measures relative displacement from prior location
`coordinates of a second tracking device. In yet another vari
`ant, ifa first signal level is detected, the relative displacement
`is utilized to compute current location coordinates informa
`tion of the first tracking device. In another variant, the accel
`erometer may be activated to measure impacts of an object or
`an individual to determine if the object or individual may be
`medical attention (e.g., be injured).
`0015 These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages,
`and features of the present invention will be set forth in part in
`the description which follows, and in part will become appar
`ent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following
`description of the invention and referenced drawings or by
`
`practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages and fea
`tures of the invention are realized and attained by means of the
`instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly
`pointed out in the appended claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`0016 FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of an electronic track
`ing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`0017 FIG. 2 illustrates a location tracking system associ
`ated with the electronic tracking device and the wireless
`network in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`0018 FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram to manage and
`control circuitry associated with the electronic tracking
`device of FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with an embodiment of
`the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`0019 Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like
`numerals refer to like parts throughout.
`0020. As used herein, the terms “location coordinates'
`refer without limitation to any set or partial set of integer, real
`and/or complex location data or information Such as longitu
`dinal, latitudinal, and elevational positional coordinates.
`0021. As used herein, the terms “tracking device' and
`“electronic tracking device' refers to without, limitation, to
`any hybrid electronic circuit, integrated circuit (IC), chip,
`chip set, System-on-a-chip, microwave integrated circuit
`(MIC), Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC),
`low noise amplifier, power amplifier, transceiver, receiver,
`transmitter and Application Specific Integrated Circuit
`(ASIC) that may be constructed and/or fabricated. The chip or
`IC may be constructed (“fabricated') on a small rectangle (a
`“die”) cut from, for example, a Silicon (or special applica
`tions, Sapphire), Gallium Arsenide, or Indium Phosphide
`wafer. The IC may be classified, for example, into analogue,
`digital, or hybrid (both analogue and digital on the same chip
`and or analog-to-digital converter). Digital integrated circuits
`may contain anything from one to millions of logic gates,
`invertors, and, or, nand, and nor gates, flipflops, multiplexors,
`etc. on a few square millimeters. The small size of these
`circuits allows high speed, low power dissipation, and
`reduced manufacturing cost compared with board-level inte
`gration.
`0022. As used herein, the terms “data transfer”, “tracking
`and location system”, “location and tracking system”, “loca
`tion tracking system’, and “positioning system.” refer to
`without limitation to any system, that transfers and/or deter
`mines location coordinates using one or more devices, such as
`Global Positioning System (GPS).
`0023. As used herein, the terms “Global Positioning Sys
`tem” refer to without limitation to any services, methods or
`devices that utilize GPS technology to determine position of
`a GPS receiver based on measuring a signal transfer time of
`signals communicated between satellites having known posi
`tions and the GPS receiver. A signal transfer time is propor
`tional, to a distance of a respective satellite from the GPS
`receiver. The distance between a satellite and a GPS receiver
`may be converted, utilizing signal propagation Velocity, into a
`respective signal transfer time. The positional information of
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`
`the GPS receiver is calculated based on distance calculations
`from at least four satellites to determine positional informa
`tion of the GPS receiver.
`0024. As used herein, the terms "wireless network” refers
`to, without limitation, any digital, analog, microwave, and
`millimeter wave communication networks that transfer sig
`nals from one location to another location, Such as, but not
`limited to IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth, WiMax, IS-95, GSM,
`IS-95, CGM, CDMA, wCDMA, PDC, UMTS, TDMA, and
`FDMA, or combinations thereof.
`Major Features
`0025. In one aspect, the present invention discloses an
`apparatus and method, to provide an improved capability
`electronic tracking device. In one embodiment, the device
`provides electronic circuitry including an accelerometer to
`measure location coordinates without requiring GPS signal
`ing. In this embodiment, location coordinates of an electronic
`tracking device are measured when the electronic tracking
`device is located in a partially enclosed structure, e.g., a
`building or parking lot, up to a fully enclosed structure. In one
`embodiment, the electronic tracking device conserves battery
`power when the device is partially or fully blocked access to
`location coordinates from one or more GPS satellites, e.g., a
`primary location tracking system. In yet another embodi
`ment, accelerometer measures force applied to the electronic
`tracking device and provides an alert, message to a guardian
`or other responsible person. In one embodiment, the alert
`message includes location coordinates of the electronic track
`ing device and other information, e.g., magnitude or nature of
`force, as well as possibility of injury of an objector individual
`having the electronic tracking device. As described though
`out the following specification, the present invention gener
`ally provides a portable electronic device configuration for
`locating and tracking an individual or an object.
`Exemplary Apparatus
`0026 Referring now to FIGS. 1-2 exemplary embodi
`ments of the electronic tracking device of the invention are
`described in detail. Please note that the following discussions
`of electronics and components for an electronic tracking
`device to monitor and locate individuals are non-limiting:
`thus, the present invention may be useful in other electronic
`signal transferring and communication applications, such as
`electronics modules included in items such as: watches, cal
`culators, clocks, computer keyboards, computer mice, and/or
`mobile phones to location and track, trajectory of movement
`and current location of these items within boundaries of or
`proximity to a room, building, city, State, and country.
`0027. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that while
`described primarily in the context of tracking individuals or
`objects, at least portions of the apparatus and methods
`described herein may be used in other applications, such as,
`utilized, without limitation, for control systems that monitor
`components such as transducers, sensors, and electrical, and/
`or optical components that are part of an assembly line pro
`cess. Moreover, it will be recognized that the present inven
`tion may find utility beyond purely tracking and monitoring
`concerns. Myriad of other functions will be recognized by
`those of ordinary skill in the art given the present disclosure.
`Electronic Tracking Device
`0028 Referring to FIG. 1, tracking device 100 contains
`various electronic components 101 such as transceiver 102.
`
`signal processing circuitry 104 (e.g., a microprocessor or
`other signal logic circuitry), and accelerometer 130. In one
`non-limiting example, the electronic components 101 are
`disposed, deposited, or mounted, on a substrate 107 (e.g.,
`Printed Circuit Board (PCD)). The PCB 107, for example,
`may be manufactured from: polyacryclic (PA), polycarbonate
`(PC), composite material, and arylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
`(ABS) substrates, blends or combinations thereof, or the like
`(as described in more detail, in incorporated by reference U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 1 1/933,024 filed on Oct. 31,
`2007). The signal processing circuitry 104, in one example,
`associated with the tracking device 100 configured to store a
`first identification code, produce a second identification code,
`determine location coordinates, and generate a positioning
`signal that contains location data (as described in more detail
`in incorporated by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`11/753,979 filed on May 25, 2007). For instance, the location
`data includes longitudinal, latitudinal, and elevational posi
`tion of a tracking device, current address or recent address of
`the tracking device, a nearby landmark, to the tracking device,
`and the like. In one example, electronic tracking device 100 is
`portable and mobile and fits easily within a compact, Volume,
`Such as standard pocket of an individual's shirt having
`approximate dimensions of 1.5 inch by 2.5 inch by 1.0 inch.
`In yet another example, electronic tracking device 100 may be
`one integrated circuit having dimensionality in the mm range
`in all directions (or even smaller).
`0029. In one embodiment, location tracking circuitry 114,
`calculates location data received and sends the data to signal,
`processing circuitry 104. Memory 112 stores operating soft
`ware and data, for instance, communicated to and from signal
`processing circuit 104 and or location tracking circuitry 114,
`e.g., GPS logic circuitry. In one embodiment, a signal detect
`ing circuitry 115 detects and measures signal power level. In
`another embodiment, the signal processing circuitry 104 pro
`cesses and measures signal power level. Battery level detec
`tion circuitry (e.g., battery level monitor 116) detects a battery
`level of battery 118, which contains one or more individual
`units or grouped as a single unit.
`0030. In one non-limiting example, antennas 122a, 122b
`electrically couple to transceiver 102. In one variant, trans
`ceiver 102 includes one integrated circuit or, in another
`embodiment, may be multiple individual circuits or inte
`grated circuits. Transceiver 102 communicates a signal
`including location data between tracking device 100 and the
`monitoring station 110, for example, by any of the following
`including: wireless network, wireless data transfer station,
`wired telephone, and Internet channel. A demodulator circuit
`126 extracts baseband signals, for instance at 100 KHZ,
`including tracking device configuration and Software
`updates, as well as converts a low-frequency AC signal to a
`DC voltage level. The DC voltage level, in one example, is
`Supplied to battery charging circuitry 128 to recharge a bat
`tery level of the battery 118. In one embodiment, a user of
`monitoring station 110, e.g., a mobile personal digital assis
`tant, mobile phone, or the like, by listening (or downloading)
`one or more advertisements to reduce and/or shift, usage
`charges to another user, account, or database (as described in
`more detail in previous incorporated by reference U.S. patent
`applications Ser. Nos. 11/784,400 and 11/784,318 each filed
`on Apr. 5, 2007).
`0031. In another embodiment, an accelerometer 130, for
`example, a dual-axis accelerometer 130, e.g. ADXL320 inte
`grated circuit manufactured by Analog Devices having two
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`Substantially orthogonal beams, may be utilized. The data
`sheet ADXH320L from Analog Devices is incorporated by
`reference. In one embodiment, the accelerometer 130 acti
`Vates upon one or more designated antenna(s), e.g., antennas
`122a, 122b, detecting a first signal level, e.g., a low signal
`level or threshold value, as specified by, for instance, a user or
`system administrator. In one variant of this embodiment,
`electrical circuitry associated with GPS signal acquisition,
`e.g., all or a portion of amplifier block 120, may be, for
`instance, placed on Standby or in a sleep mode. In another
`embodiment, the accelerometer 130 remains in a standby
`mode until, for instance, a system administrator, a specified,
`time period, or a user activates the accelerometer 130. In one
`embodiment, the amplifier block 120 includes multiple elec
`tronic functions and blocks including a low noise amplifier, a
`power amplifier, a RF power switch, or the like, placed in a
`sleep or standby mode, for instance, to converse a battery
`level of the battery 118.
`0032. In another variant of this embodiment, circuitry,
`such as amplifier block 120 or location tracking circuitry 114,
`may be placed in a sleep or standby mode to conserve a
`battery level of the battery 118. In one variant, the tracking
`device 100 periodically checks availability of GPS signal,
`e.g., performs a GPS signal acquisition to determine if a
`receive communication signal is above a first, signal level.
`Referring to embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, electronic track
`ing device 100 exits an opening 150 in partially enclosed
`structure 210; thus, electronic tracking device 100 may
`resume GPS signal acquisition using GPS satellite 143 (e.g.,
`in response to a periodic check by the tracking device 100 of
`a receive communication signal level above a first signal
`level).
`0033. In one embodiment, system administrator selects a
`signal noise bandwidth, e.g., within a range of 3 to 500 Hz, of
`the accelerator 130 to measure dynamic acceleration (e.g.,
`due to vibration forces applied, to electronic tracking device
`100). In another embodiment, system administrator selects a
`signal noise bandwidth, e.g., within a range of 3 to 500 Hz, to
`measure static acceleration (due to gravitational forces
`applied to electronic tracking device 100). In particular, exter
`nal forces on electronic tracking device 100 cause, for
`example, internal structural movements, e.g., deflection of
`dual-axis beams, of the accelerometer 130. The deflection of
`dual-axis beams generates differential Voltage(s).
`0034. Differential voltage(s) are proportional to accelera
`tion measurements, e.g., discrete acceleration measurements,
`of electronic tracking device 100, for instance in X, y, and Z
`directions. Differential Voltage(s), in one instance, are rela
`tive to, for instance, a last known GPS location coordinates of
`electronic tracking device 100. By performing electronic
`device proximity measurements, e.g., measuring acceleration
`vectors of electronic tracking device 100 at time intervals,
`e.g., T1, T2, T3 . . . TN, monitoring station 110 computes
`electronic tracking device Velocity at time intervals, e.g., T1,
`T2, T3 ... TN. In one embodiment, time intervals, e.g., T1,
`T2, and T3 ... TN are measured in accordance with instruc
`tions by a system administrator or user. In one embodiment,
`time intervals are selected within a range of one micro-second
`to several minutes.
`0035. In one embodiment, the monitoring station 110 per
`forms an integration of the acceleration measurements as a
`function of time to compute electronic tracking device veloc
`ity at time intervals, e.g., T1, T2, and T3 ... TN. By refer
`encing prior location coordinates, e.g., last known accurate
`
`location data of the electronic tracking device 100 or last
`known location data of nearby electronic tracking device
`(e.g., second tracking device 101 in proximity to electronic
`tracking device 100), monitoring station 110 computes a cur
`rent location of electronic tracking device 100 utilizing elec
`tronic tracking device Velocity computations. Advanta
`geously, monitoring station 110, in an above described
`embodiment, uses above described device proximity mea
`Surements to monitor current location data of electronic
`tracking device 100 without connectivity to receive commu
`nication signals from GPS satellites.
`0036. In one embodiment, the monitoring station 110 may
`include a mobile phone having connectivity to wireless net
`work 140 electrically coupled to electronic tracking device
`100 (FIG. 2). In this variant, the wireless network 140 resides
`or circulates within at least a portion of a semi-enclosed,
`partially-enclosed, or fully enclosed structure, e.g., building,
`parking structure, closet, storage room, or the like (e.g., struc
`ture 210 in FIG. 2). Furthermore, in one embodiment, the
`present invention conserves battery power by placing on
`standby, low power mode, or disabling entirely GPS signal,
`acquisition, circuitry and other associated devices, e.g., all or
`a portion of amplifier block 120 including power amplifiers,
`LNAs, switches, and the like. Furthermore, during supple
`mental location coordinates tracking, e.g., electronic device
`proximity measurements, the transceiver circuitry (e.g.,
`transceiver 102, location tracking circuitry 114, and signal,
`processing circuitry 104) consumes reduced battery power
`for GPS circuitry while the electronic tracking device 100
`communicates displacement vectors (e.g., differential loca
`tion coordinates) to monitoring station 110 (e.g., a mobile
`phone, a personal digital assistant) through a wireless net
`work 140. As described above, when GPS signaling is not
`practicable, electronic device proximity measurements pro
`vide differential location coordinate information to calculate
`current location coordinate information.
`0037. In one embodiment, accelerometer, e.g., accelerom
`eter 130, determines if electronic tracking device 100 in a
`stationary position for a period, for instance, designated by
`system administrator or user. For example, electronic track
`ing device 100 may be, for example, located on a counter top,
`within, a pocket of clothing, or in Suitcase, not being moved,
`or not currently in use. Continuing with this embodiment,
`electronic tracking device 100 communicates a code, e.g., a
`stationary acknowledgement code, to communication net
`work, e.g., wireless network 140. In one variant, when or if
`monitoring station 110 requests location data through com
`munication network, electronic tracking device 100 deter
`mines located in a stationary or Substantially stationary posi
`tion and electronic tracking device 100 communicates its
`last-known location to the monitoring station 110 without
`accessing or requiring GPS signaling or active GPS circuitry,
`e.g., location tracking circuitry 114. Advantageously, in this
`embodiment, when electronic tracking device 100 does not
`utilize and require GPS circuitry, e.g., location tracking cir
`cuitry 114, or functionality, the power resources are preserved
`of battery 118 in contrast to many conventional GPS commu
`nication, System continuing power-on GPS circuitry. In one
`embodiment, electronic tracking device 130 associated with a
`person or object remains at a Substantially stationary position
`approximately one-forth to one-third of a calendar day; thus,
`this feature of not accessing GPS circuitry preserves battery
`power.
`
`EXHIBIT 2004
`
`

`

`US 2009/017.4603 A1
`
`Jul. 9, 2009
`
`0038. In another embodiment, an accelerometer, such as
`accelerometer 130, detects tapping against electronic track
`ing device 100. For instance, upon wake-up, user prompt,
`system, administrator prompt, or active, accelerometer 130
`detects a person or object tapping a sequence on electronic
`tracking device 100. In one embodiment, electronic tracking
`device 100 includes digital signal programming circuitry
`(such as of signal, processing circuitry 104). The digital sig
`nal programming circuitry recognizes programmed motions
`received by accelerometer, such as accelerometer 130, and
`transmits an alert message to the monitoring station 110 upon
`receiving a recognized motion pattern. For example, elec
`tronic tracking device 100 may be programmed to recognize
`an "SOS tap cadence'. Thus, it electronic tracking device 100
`is repeatedly tapped, for instance, in a "dot-dot-dot, dash
`dash-dash, dot-dot-dot pattern, signal processing circuitry
`104 recognizes a motion pattern and transmit an alert mes
`sage to wireless network 114 to monitoring station 110. In
`one instance, alert message may be associated a distres