(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0189807 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jul. 30, 2009
`Scalisi et al.
`
`US 20090 1898.07A1
`
`(54)
`
`(76)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`(63)
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`ADJUSTING REFRESHRATE OF LOCATION
`COORONATES OF A TRACKING DEVICE
`
`11/784,400, filed on Apr. 5, 2007, Continuation-in
`part of application No. 1 1/935,901, filed on Nov. 6,
`2007.
`
`Inventors:
`
`Joseph F. Scalisi, Yorba Linda, CA
`(US); Roger B. Anderson, Arcadia,
`CA (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`Law Office Of Robert E. Kasody,
`Professional Corporation
`6601 Center Drive West, Suite #500
`Los Angeles, CA 90045 (US)
`Appl. No.:
`12/419,451
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 7, 2009
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 1 1/969,905,
`filed on Jan. 6, 2008, Continuation-in-part of applica
`tion No. 1 1/753,979, filed on May 25, 2007, Continu
`ation-in-part of application No. 1 1/933,024, filed on
`Oct. 31, 2007, Continuation-in-part of application No.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GOIS I/O
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................... 342/357.07
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A local charging management device manages electrical
`resource capability for an electronic tracking device. In one
`embodiment, the electronic tracking device includes a battery
`power monitor, a charging unit; and an electrical power
`resource management component. The electrical power
`resource management component adjusts cycle timing of one
`or more of control parameters for the tracking device. Control
`parameters include request rate of location coordinate pack
`ets to a target host and a listen rate of the location coordinate
`packets. The adjustment is responsive to an estimated charge
`level of the charging unit, Velocity of the device, and user
`desired inputs.
`
`210
`
`143
`
`GPS
`Satelite
`
`140
`
`200
`
`100
`
`150
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 30, 2009 Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US 2009/0189807 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`0 || ||
`
`L aunfil
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 30, 2009 Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 2009/0189807 A1
`
`S.
`
`
`
`CD
`O E
`9
`CD as
`O
`
`i
`
`3
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 30, 2009 Sheet 3 of 7
`
`US 2009/0189807 A1
`
`909S
`
`Z LØS
`
`01.9 S
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`809S
`
`009
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 30, 2009 Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 2009/0189807 A1
`
`u?u 01 || sÁed g
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 30, 2009 Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 2009/0189807 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`|
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`S
`
`S
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`O
`O
`
`N V
`Š
`
`la
`
`S. A2 )
`
`3
`
`Xros S.
`
`V
`O
`V
`
`s
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 30, 2009 Sheet 6 of 7
`
`US 2009/0189807 A1
`
`
`
`c O
`v
`
`2
`V
`
`N
`O
`V
`
`3
`w
`
`S
`
`1.
`
`
`
`S.
`
`O
`O
`O
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 30, 2009 Sheet 7 of 7
`
`US 2009/0189807 A1
`
`90/S
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`00/
`
`/ ?un61
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`US 2009/O 1898.07 A1
`
`Jul. 30, 2009
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`ADJUSTING REFRESHRATE OF LOCATION
`COORONATES OF A TRACKING DEVICE
`
`PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application is a continuation-in-part and claims
`priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 1 1/969,905
`entitled “Apparatus and Method for Determining Location
`and Tracking Coordinates of a Tracking Device' that was
`filed on Jan. 6, 2008, and incorporates by reference in their
`entirety and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`11/753,979 filed on May 25, 2007, entitled “Apparatus and
`Method for Providing Location Information on Individuals
`and Objects. Using Tracking Devices”; U.S. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 11/933,024 filed on Oct. 31, 2007, entitled
`Apparatus and Method for Manufacturing an Electronic
`Package”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/784,400 filed
`on Apr. 5, 2007, entitled “Communication System and
`Method Including Dual Mode Capability”; U.S. patent appli
`cation Ser. No. 11/784,318 filed on Apr. 5, 2007, entitled
`“Communication System and Method Including Communi
`cation Billing Options’; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`11/935,901 filed on Nov. 6, 2007, entitled “System and
`Method for Creating and Managing a Personalized Web Inter
`face 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 a power
`conservation methodology and apparatus incorporated as part
`of portable electronic tracking device for individuals and
`objects to improve battery life by a wireless location and
`tracking system and/or wireless communication 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 accelerometer's 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
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`US 2009/O 1898.07 A1
`
`Jul. 30, 2009
`
`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
`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 addition during the acquisition of signaling and or
`other information, a conventional GPS transceiver has limited
`functionality or capabilities associated with control and
`monitoring of battery power usage. For instance, a conven
`tional GPS transceiver may have some indication battery
`charge level such as a power level bar but have very few or any
`ability or capability to control or reduce power usage. Fur
`thermore, often users do not realize or are only alerted when
`their GPS transceiver is using reserve power or about to
`Suddenly involuntarily shut-down to prevent data loss and
`loss of other user information Such as personal GPS settings,
`screen color displays, and user recreational or pleasure set
`tings.
`0013 More specifically, users of conventional GPS trans
`ceivers typically are unprepared for Such a sudden loss of
`GPS transceiver service. Generally, within minutes of an
`initial warning indication, e.g., beeping, vibration, Voice,
`alarms or combination thereof, the GPS transceiver shuts off.
`As such, a user may suddenly experience loss of location
`determination or location based capabilities or monitoring or
`being monitored capabilities and not prepared for Such Sud
`den outage. Furthermore, even if a user could reduce battery
`power usage, a result, within the last few minutes of battery
`power, a user has little or no incentive or capability to alter
`battery usage of a conventional GPS transceiver due to low
`power level GPS transceivers may suddenly become non
`operational without any warning to or recourse to a user.
`Thus, when a conventional GPS transceiver is low in power
`level, a user's most viable alternative would be locating an
`electrical outlet to recharge their conventional GPS trans
`ceiver.
`0014. 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
`0015. In a first aspect of the present invention, a portable
`electronic apparatus for a tracking device is disclosed. In one
`embodiment, the tracking device includes a battery having a
`battery charge level, transceiver circuitry, processor circuitry,
`
`and a battery power monitor. In one embodiment, the battery
`power monitor measures in real-time the battery charge level
`and makes a prediction of an estimated remaining battery
`charge level in response to the battery charge level.
`0016. In one variant, a local battery power adjustment
`mechanism generates in Substantially real-time an updated
`set of network communication signaling protocols associated
`with at least one of a request rate of location coordinate
`packets to be communicated to a target host and a listen rate
`of the location coordinate packets. In yet another variant, the
`updated set of network communication signaling protocols
`has a value that is responsive to a user input request. In yet
`another embodiment, the local battery power adjustment
`mechanism activates or deactivates one or more portions of
`the transceiver circuitry to conserve the battery charge level.
`In yet another embodiment, the local battery power adjust
`ment mechanism activates or deactivates the processor to
`conserve the battery charge level in response to the value
`having the value responsive to a user input request.
`0017. In a second aspect of the present invention, a local
`charging management device is disclosed to manage electri
`cal resource capability for an electronic tracking device that is
`tracked by at least one other tracking device. In one embodi
`ment, local charging management device includes a battery
`power monitor, a charging unit; and an electrical power
`resource management component. In one variant, the power
`resource management component adjusts cycle timing of a
`request rate of location coordinate packets communicated to
`a target host responsive to an estimate charge level of the
`charging unit. In another variant, the power resource manage
`ment component adjusts a listen rate of location coordinate
`packets responsive to an estimated charge level of the charg
`ing unit. In yet another variant, the power resource manage
`ment component adjusts one or more of request rate of loca
`tion coordinate packets to a target host and a listen rate of
`location coordinate packets responsive to an estimated charge
`level of the charging unit.
`0018. In another aspect of the present invention, a method
`is disclosed to control power usage. In one embodiment, the
`method includes measurement of charging unit power level of
`a tracking device communicated by a location coordinate
`tracking system, and adjustment of charging unit power level
`of the tracking device in response to a Substantially-real life
`estimate of the unit power level of a charge unit of the tracking
`device. In one variant, the method includes creation of an
`initial timing schedule for communication of signaling
`parameters associated with a request rate communicated with
`location coordinate information and listen rate communi
`cated with the location coordinate information, the initial
`time schedule being at least partially automatically and
`responsive to an estimated power level of the charge unit. In
`yet another variant, the method includes readjustment of the
`initial timing schedule for communication of signaling
`parameters in accordance with a local request by a remote
`user using an Internet accessible icon that displays user view
`able tradeoffs between the estimated charge unit life and
`charge unit update rate.
`0019. 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
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`US 2009/O 1898.07 A1
`
`Jul. 30, 2009
`
`instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly
`pointed out in the appended claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0020 FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of an electronic track
`ing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`0021
`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.
`0022 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.
`0023 FIG. 4 illustrates a screen display including a user
`definable adjustable power level monitor in accordance with
`an embodiment of the present invention.
`0024 FIG. 5 illustrates a location coordinate navigational
`system utilizing user definable power level monitor of FIG. 4
`in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
`0025 FIG. 6 illustrates a location coordinate navigation
`system utilizing a user definable power level monitor of FIG.
`4 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
`0026 FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a user definable
`adjustable power level monitor in accordance with an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0027. Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like
`numerals refer to like parts throughout.
`0028. 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.
`0029. 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.
`0030. 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).
`0031. 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
`the GPS receiver is calculated based on distance calculations
`from at least four satellites to determine positional informa
`tion of the GPS receiver.
`0032. As used herein, the terms “wireless network”.
`"wireless communication”, “wireless link', and "wireless
`transmission” refers to, without limitation, any digital, ana
`log, microwave, and millimeter wave communication net
`works that transfer signals from one location to another loca
`tion, such as, but not limited to IEEE 802.11 g, Bluetooth,
`WiMax, IS-95, GSM, IS-95, CGM, CDMA, wCDMA, PDC,
`UMTS, TDMA, and FDMA, or combinations thereof.
`
`Major Features
`0033. In one aspect, the present invention discloses an
`apparatus and method to provide an improved capability elec
`tronic tracking device. In one embodiment, the device pro
`vides electronic circuitry including an accelerometer to mea
`Sure location coordinates without requiring GPS signaling. In
`this embodiment, location coordinates of an electronic track
`ing 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 embodi
`ment, 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 embodiment, accel
`erometer 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 tracking
`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
`0034 Referring now to FIGS. 1-2 and 4-6 exemplary
`embodiments of the electronic tracking device of the inven
`tion 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 applica
`tions, such as electronics modules included in items such as:
`watches, calculators, clocks, computer keyboards, computer
`mice, and/or mobile phones to location and track trajectory of
`movement and current location of these items within bound
`aries of or proximity to a room, building, city, State, and
`country.
`0035. 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,
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`US 2009/O 1898.07 A1
`
`Jul. 30, 2009
`
`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
`0036 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 (PCB)). 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, mobile and fits easily within a compact Volume,
`Such as standardshirt pocket 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).
`0037. 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.
`0038. 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
`application Ser. No. 11/784,400 and Ser. No. 1 1/784,318 each
`filed on Apr. 5, 2007).
`0039. 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
`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.
`0040. 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).
`0041. 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).
`0042. 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
`
`EXHIBIT 2013
`
`

`

`US 2009/O 1898.07 A1
`
`Jul. 30, 2009
`
`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.
`0043. In one embodiment, the monitoring station 110 per
`forms an integration of the acceleration measurements as a
`function of time to compute e