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`Jan 46 7H08 13:46:54
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`18664493398
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`Robert Kasody
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`Page HAZ
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`LBTECH.O12A
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`PATENT
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING LOCATION AND TRACKING
`
`COORDINATES OF A TRACKING DEVICE
`
`Related Applications
`
`This application incorporates by reference in their entirety: U.S. patent application
`
`Serial No. 11/753,979 filed on Mav 25, 2007, entitled “Apparatus and Method for
`
`Previding Location Information on individuals and Objects Using Tracking Devices”,
`
`10
`
`U.S. patent application Serial No. 11/933,624 fed on October 31, 2007, entitled
`
`“Apparatus and Method for Manufacturing an Electronic Package”, US patent application
`
`Serial No, 11/784.400 filed on April 3, 2007, entitled “Communication System and
`
`Method Including Dual Mode Capability”, US patent application Serial No. 11/784,318
`
`filed on April 3, 2007, entitled “Communication Systen and Method Including
`
`IS
`
`Communication Billing Options”; and US patent application Serial No, 11/935,901 fled
`
`on Noyember 6, 2007, entitled “System and Method for Creating and Managing a
`
`Personalized Web Interface for Monitoring Location Information on Individuals and
`
`Objects Using Tracking Devices.”
`
`20)
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The
`
`invention relates generally to the
`
`field of
`
`lJecation
`
`and tracking
`
`communication systems. More particularly,
`
`the present
`
`invention relates
`
`in one
`
`embodiment to an accelerometer incorporated as part of portable electronic tracking
`
`25=device for individuals and objcets to improve monitorme by a wireless location and
`
`tracking system and/or wireless communication system (WCS).
`
`2. Deseription of Related Technology
`
`Accelerometers are conventionally integrated into electronics systems that are
`
`30)
`
`part of a vehicle. vessel, and airplane to detect, measure, and monitor deflections,
`
`vibrations, and acceleration. Accelerometers, for example, mav include one or more
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`

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`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 electronics manufacturers.
`
`5
`
`For
`
`instance, electronics gaming manufacturers exploit
`
`an accelerometer’s
`
`deflection sensing capability, for instance,
`
`to measure device tilt and control game
`
`functionality.
`
`In another instance, consumer electronics manufacturers, e.g., Appie,
`
`Ericsson, and Nike, incorporate accelerometers in personal electronic devices, ¢.g.. Apple
`
`iPhone to provide a changsable screen display orientation that toggles between portrait
`
`10
`
`and landscape layout window settings;
`
`io manage human inputs through a human
`
`interface, e.g., Apple iPods touch screen interface, and to measure game movement and
`
`tilt, e.g., Wil gaming remotes.
`
`Still others including automobile electronics circuitry
`
`manufacturers utilize MEMS accelerometers to mitiate airbag deployment in accordance
`
`with a detected collision severity level by measuring negative vehicle acceleration,
`
`13
`
`Other electronics manufacturer products, eg, Nokia 3500 sport, count step
`
`motions using a 31) aceclerometer, and translate user information via user's taps or
`
`shaking motion to sclect song titles and to enable mp3 plavertrack switching.
`
`In another
`
`instance, portable or
`
`laptop computers include hard-disk drives infegrated wilh an
`
`accelerometer to detect displacement or falling incidents, For instance, when ahard-disk
`
`20=accelerometer detects a low-g condition, e.g., indicating [ree-fall and expected shock, a
`
`hard-disk write feature may be temporarily disabled to avoid accidental data overwriting
`
`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-disktracks. Still
`
`others including inedical product manufacturers utilize accelerometers to measure depth
`
`25
`
`of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
`
`(CPR)
`
`chest
`
`compressions.
`
`Sportswear
`
`manufacturers, eg., Nike sports watches and footwear,
`
`incerporate accelerometers to
`
`feedbackspeed and distance to a runner via a cormnected iPodg Nano.
`
`StlE others including manufacturers of conventional inertial navigation systenis
`
`deploy one or more accelerometers as part of, for instance, on-board electronics of a
`
`30
`
`vehicle. vessel,
`
`train and/or airplane.
`
`In addition to accelerometer measurements,
`
`conventional inertial navigation systems integrate one or more gyroscopes with the on-
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`Page Hi4
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`beard electronics to assist tracking including performing various measurements, e.g., Lt,
`
`angie, and roll, More spectically, gyroscopes measure 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 recerver, or position
`
`5
`
`and velocily measurements from one or more motion sensors,
`
`More specifically, mtegration of measured inertial accelerations commences with,
`
`for instance, original velocity, for instance, of a vehicle, vessel, train, and/or airplane to
`
`yield updated inertial system velocities. Another integration of updated inertial systern
`
`velocities Vields an updatedinertial systemorientation, ¢.¢., tilt, angle, and roll, within a
`
`10
`
`system limited positioning accuracy.
`
`In one instance to improve positioning accuracy,
`
`conventional inertial navigation systems utilize GPS system outputs.
`
`In another imstance
`
`to improve positioning accuracy, conventional inertial navigation systems intermittently
`
`reset to zero inertial tracking velocity, for instance, by stopping the inertial navigation
`
`system.
`
`In yet other cxamples, control theory and Kalmanfiltering provide a framework
`
`IS
`
`to combine motion sensor information in attempts to improve positional accuracy ofthe
`
`updatedinertial system, orientation,
`
`Potential drawbacks of many conventional inertial navigation systems inclaide
`
`electrical and mechanical hardware occupying a large real estate foolprint and requiring
`
`cornplex clectronic measurement and control circuitry with limited applicably to changed
`
`20
`
`environmental conditions. Furthermore, many conventional
`
`inertial navigation system
`
`calculations are prone to accumulated acceleration and velocity measurement errors, For
`
`instance, many conventional inertial navigation acceleration and velocity measurement
`
`errors arc on the order of 0.6 nautical miles per hour in position and tenths of a degree per
`
`hour iorientation.
`
`25
`
`In contrast to cotrventional mertial navigation systems, a conventional Global
`
`Positioning Satelhte (GPS) system uses Global Positioning Signals (GPS) to monitor and
`
`track focation coordinates communicated between location coordinates monitoring
`
`satellites and an individual or an object having a GPS transceiver.
`
`Inthis system, GPS
`
`monitormg of location coordinates is practical when a GPS transceiver receives at least a
`
`30) minnnal 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. Mor instance, when an
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`Lad
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`individual or object carrying a GPS transceiver 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 1s
`
`a GPS transceiver receiving a weak GPS signal, but also the GPS transeeiver is depleting
`
`5
`
`battery power in failed attempts to acquire communication signals from one or more
`
`location coordinates 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.
`
`In summary, electronic tracking device and methodology that provides additional
`
`10
`
`advantages over conventional systems such as
`
`improved power management, ¢.g.,
`
`efficient use of battery power and provide other improvements include supplementing
`
`conventional
`
`electronic tracking device monitering, ¢.g..
`
`increased measurement
`
`accuracy of location coordinates of objects and individuals traveling into and/or through a
`
`structure, ¢2., a partially covered building, a parking structure, or a substantially
`
`15
`
`enclosed structure, such as a basement or a storage area in ahigh-rise office building.
`
`Sumunary of the Invention
`
`In a first aspect of the present invention, a portable electronic apparatus for a
`
`tracking device is disclosed,
`
`The electronic apparatus includes a transcerver, an
`
`20
`
`accelerometer, and an antenna. The antenna is disposed onthe 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 (¢.g., battery moniter) controls clectronic components associated
`
`with the trackino device.
`
`In one variant, an accelerormeter performs an acceleration
`
`25
`
`measurement.
`
`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.
`
`In a second aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed to communicate
`
`location ceordinates of a first
`
`tracking device.
`
`In this method,
`
`a
`
`transceiver
`
`30)
`
`comimunicates measured signal strength.
`
`In response to nieasured signal strength level. a
`
`power management circuitry (¢.g., battery monitor) controls power levels associated with
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`Page Hb6
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`the first tracking device to reduce or increase power consumptionofa transcerver andits
`
`assootaled 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 [irst signal level is
`
`detected, an accelerometer measures displacement fromprior location coordinates of the
`
`5
`
`first
`
`tracking device,
`
`Jn another variant,
`
`if a first signal
`
`level
`
`is detected, an
`
`accelerometer measures relative displacement from prior location coordinates of a second
`
`tracking device.
`
`In yet another variant, if a first signal level
`
`is detected, the relative
`
`displacement is utilized to compute current location coordinates information, of the first
`
`tracking device.
`
`In another variant,
`
`the accelerometer may be activated to measure
`
`10
`
`impacts of an object or an individual to determime if the object or individual may be
`
`tnedical attention (¢.¢., be injured).
`
`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 apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description of
`
`15
`
`the inventien and referenced drawings or by practice ef the invention, The aspects,
`
`advantages and features of the invention are realized and attained by means of the
`
`instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended
`
`clams.
`
`20)
`
`Brie? Descriptionof the Drawings
`
`Figure |
`
`illustrates a schematic of an electronic tracking device in accordance
`
`with an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Figure 2 illustrates a location tracking system associated with the clectronic
`
`tracking device and the wircless network in accordance with an embodiment ofthe
`
`25
`
`present invention.
`
`Figure 3 illustrates a flowdiagram to manage and control eireurtry associated with
`
`the elecirome tracking device of Figures 1 and 2 in accordance with an embodiment of
`
`the present invention.
`
`Detailed Description
`
`30
`
`Relerence is now made to the drawmgs wherein like numerals refer to like parts
`
`throughout,
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`Ee
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`As used herein, the terms “location coordinates” refer without limitation to any
`
`set or partial sel of integer, real and/or complex location data or information such as
`
`longitudinal, latitudinal, and elevational positional coordinates.
`
`As used herein, the terms “tracking device” and “electronic tracking device”
`
`5
`
`refers to without limitation to any hybrid electronic circuit, integrated circuit ([C}, chip,
`
`chip sel, systenror-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 KO may be constructed (fabricated”) ona small reetangle
`
`10
`
`(a “die") cut from, for example, a Sihcon (or special applications, Sapphire}, Gallium
`
`Arsenide, or Indium Phosphide wafer. The IC may be classified, for oxample,
`
`inte
`
`analogue, digital, or hybrid (both analogue and digilal on the same chip and/or analog-to-
`
`digital converter). Digital mtegrated circuits may contain anything from one to millions
`
`of logic gates, invertors, and, or, nand, and nor gates, flipflops, multiplexors. etc. on a
`
`IS
`
`few square millimeters. The small size of these circuits allows high speed,
`
`low power
`
`dissipation, and reduced manufacturing cost compared with board-level integration,
`
`As used herein,
`
`the terns “data transfer’, “tracking and location system”,
`
`“Jocation and tracking system”, “location tracking system”, and “positioning system,”
`
`refer to without
`
`liniitation to any system that
`
`
`transfers and/or determines location
`
`20
`
`coordinates using one or more devices, such as Global Posilioning System (GPS).
`
`As used herein, the terms “GHobal Positioning System” refer to without limitation
`
`to any services, methods or devices that utilize GPS technologyto determine position of a
`
`GPS receiver based on measuring a signaltransfer time of signals communicated between
`
`satellites having known positions and the GPS reeciver. A signal transfer time is
`
`
`
`25=proportional to a distance of a respective satellite from the GPS receiver. ‘The distance
`
`between a satellite and a GPS receiver may be converted, utihzing signal propagation
`
`velocity, into a respective signal transfer lime. The positional information of the GPS
`
`receiver is calculated based on distanee calculations from at
`
`least four satellites te
`
`determine positional information of the GPS receiver.
`
`30
`
`As used herein. the terms “wireless network” refers to, wilhout limitation, any
`
`digital, analog, microwave, and millimeter wave communication networks that transfer
`
`6
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`signals from one location to another location, such as, but not Limited to TERE 802.1 bg,
`
`Bluetooth, WiMax, I8-95, GSM, 18-95, CGM, CDMA, wCDMA, PDC, UMTS, TDMA,
`
`and FOMA, or combinations thereol.
`
`5 Major Features
`
`In one aspect, the present inventiondiscloses an apparatus and methodto provide
`
`an improved capability electronic tracking device.
`
`In one embodiment,
`
`the device
`
`provides electronic circuttry including an accelerometer to measure location coordinates
`
`without requiriig GPS signaling.
`
`in this embodnnent,
`
`location coordinates of an
`
`10
`
`electronic tracking device are measured when the electronic tracking device js located in
`
`a partially enclosed structure, ¢.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, cg. a primary location tracking svstem.
`
`In vet another
`
`IS
`
`embodiment, accelerometer measures force applied to the electronic tracking device and
`
`provides an alort message to a guardianor other responsible person. In one embodiment,
`
`the alert message includes location coordinates of the clectronic tracking device and other
`
`information, é.g,, magnitude or nature of force, as well as possibility of injury of an
`
`obicet or individual having the electronic tracking device. As described though out the
`
`20=following specification, the present invention generally provides a portable electronic
`
`device configurationfor locating and tracking an individual or an abject.
`
`Exemplary Apparatus
`
`25
`
`device of the invention are desonbed in detail. Please note that the following discussions
`
`of electromes and components for an electronic tracking device to monitor and locate
`
`individuals are non-limiting: thus, the present mvention may be useful in other electronic
`
`signal transferring and communication applcations, such as electronics modules included
`
`
`in items stich as: watches, calculators, clocks, computer keyboards, computer mice,
`
`30
`
`and/or mobile phones to location and tracktrajectory of movement and current location
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`of these items within boundaries of or proximity to a room, building, city, state, and
`
`country,
`
`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
`
`5
`
`herein may be used in other applications, such as, utilized, without limitation, Jor control
`
`systems that monitor conponents such as transducers, sensors, and electrical and/or
`
`optical components that are part of an assembly line process. Moreover,
`
`it will be
`
`recopnized that the present
`
`invention may find utility beyond purely trackmeg and
`
`monitoring concerns, Myriad of other functions will be recognized by those of ordinary
`
`10
`
`skill in the art giventhe present disclosure,
`
`Electronic Tracking Device
`
`Referring to Figure 1, tracking device 100 contains various electronic components
`
`101 such as transceiver 102, signal processing cireurtry 104 (c.g... a microprocessor or
`
`15
`
`other signal logic circuitry), and accelerometer 130,
`
`In one non-limiting example, the
`
`electronic components 10] are disposed, deposited, or mounted on asubstrate 107 (c.g.,
`
`Printed Circuit Board (PCTS). The PCB 107, for example, may be manufactured from:
`
`polyacryelic (PA), polycarbonate (PC), composite material, aod arylonitrile-butadiene-
`
`styrene (ABS) substrates, blends or combinations thereol, or the like (as described in
`
`20 more detail in incorporated by reference US patent application Serial No. 11/933,024
`
`filed on October 31, 2007),
`
`The signal processing circuitry 194,
`
`in one example,
`
`associated with the tracking device 100 configured to store a first identification code,
`
`produce a seoond identification code, determine location coordinates, and generate a
`
`positioning sional that contains location data (as describedin more detail in incorporated
`
`25
`
`by reference US patent application Serial No. 11/753.979 filed on May 25, 2007}, For
`
`instance, the location data includes longitudinal, latitudmal, and elevational position ofa
`
`tracking device, current address or recent address of the tracking device, a nearby
`
`landmarkto the tracking device, and the like.
`
`In one example, slectronic tracking device
`
`100 1s portable and mobile and fits easily within a compact volume, such as standard
`
`30
`
`pocket of an individual's shirt having approximate dimensions of 1.3 inch by 2.3 inch by
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`1.6 inch.
`
`In yet another example, electronic tracking devive 100 may be one intevrated
`
`circuit having dimensionality in the mm range tnall directions (or even smaller),
`
`In one embodiment,
`
`location tracking circuttry 114, calculates location data
`
`received and sends the dala to signal processing circuitry 104. Memory 112 stores
`
`5
`
`operating software and data, for instance, communicated to and tromsignal processing
`
`circuit 104 and/or location tracking circuitry 114, ¢g., GPS logic cireuitry,
`
`In one
`
`embodiment, a signal detecting circuitry 113 detects and measures signal power level.
`
`In
`
`another embodiment, the signal processing cireuitry 104 processes and measures signal
`
`power level. Battery level detection circuitry (¢.g,, battery level monitor 116) detects a
`
`10
`
`battery level of battery 118, which contains one or moreindividual units or grouped as a
`
`sitiele unit.
`
`In one non-limiting example, antennas 122a,
`
`122b electrically couple te
`
`transcerver 102.
`
`In one variant, transceiver 102 includes one mtegrated circuit or, 10
`
`another embodiment, may be multiple individual circuits or
`
`integrated circuits.
`
`IS
`
`Transceiver 102 communicates a signal including location data between tracking device
`
`160 and the monitoring station 110, for example, by any of the following including:
`
`wireless network. wircless data transfer station, wired telephone, and Internet channel. A
`
`demodulator circuit 126 extracts baseband signals, ter instance at 100 KHz, including
`
`tracking device cenfiguration and software updates, as well as converts a low-frequency
`
`20
`
`Asignal to a DC voltage level. The DC voltage level, in one example, is supplied to
`
`battery charging circuitry 128 io recharge a battery level of the battery 115.
`
`In one
`
`embodiment, a user of monitoring station 110, e.@, a mobile personal digital assistant,
`
`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
`
`25
`
`more detail
`
`in previous incorporated by reference US patent applications Serial No.
`
`11/784,400 and 11/784,318 each filed on April 5, 2007).
`
`Tn another embodiment,
`
`an accelerometer 130,
`
`for example, a dital-axis
`
`accelerometer 130, e.g. ADXL320 integrated circuit manulactured by Analog Devices
`
`having two substantially orthogonal beams, may be utilized. The data sheet ADNH320L,
`
`30
`
`from Analog Devices
`
`is
`
`incorporated by reference.
`
`In one embodiment,
`
`the
`
`aceglerometer 130 activates upon one or more designated antenna(s), ¢.g., antomas 122a,
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`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,
`
`din one variant of this embodiment,
`
`electrical circuilry associated with GPS signal acquisition, eg¢., all or a portion of
`
`amplifier block 120, may be, for instance, placed on standby or in a sleep mode. In
`
`5
`
`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
`
`electronic 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
`
`10
`
`battery level of the battery 118.
`
`In another variant of this embodiment, circuttry, 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, c.g.. performs a GPS signal acquisition to determine if
`
`IS
`
`a receive communication signal is above a lirst signal level, Referring to embodiment
`
`depicted in Migure 2, electronic tracking device 100 exits an opening 150 inpartially
`
`enclosed structure 210; thus, electronic tracking device 100 may resume GPS signal
`
`acquisition using GPS satellite 143 (e.g., im response to a periodic checkby the tracking
`
`device 100 ofa regeive communication signal level above a first signal level),
`
`20)
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`In one. embodiment, system administrator selects a signal noise bandwidth, e.g.,
`
`within a range of 3 te 500 Hz, of the accelerator 130 to measure dynamic acceleration
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`(e.g. due to vibration forces applied to electronic tracking device 100).
`
`In another
`
`embodiment, systemadministrator selects a signal noise bandwidth, o.¢., within a range
`
`of 3 te 300 Hz, to measure static acceleration (due to gravitational forces appliedto
`
`25
`
`electronic tracking device 100).
`
`In particular, external 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 bears generates
`
`
`d
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`ferential voltage(s).
`
`Differential voltage(s) are proportional
`
`to acceleration measurements, ¢.g.,
`
`30
`
`discrete acceleration measurements, of electronic tracking device 100, fer instance in x,
`
`y. and z directions, Differential voltage(s), in one instance, are relative to, for instance, a
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`last known GPS location coordinates of electronic tracking device 100. By performing
`
`electronic device proximily neasurements, ¢.g., measuring acceleration vectors of
`
`electronic tracking device 100 at time intervals, e.g., TT, T2, TS... TN, monitoring
`
`station 110 computes electronic tracking device velocity at time intervals, e.g., TT, T2,
`
`5
`
`73... TN.
`
`In one embodiment, time intervals, ¢.g., 'T1, T2, and ‘T3... TNare measured
`
`in accordance with instructions by a system administrator or user,
`
`In one embodiment,
`
`lime intervals are selected within a range of one micro-second to several minutes.
`
`In one embodiment, the monitorme station 110 performs an integration ofthe
`
`acceleration measurements as a function of tine to compute electronic tracking device
`
`10
`
`velocity at time intervals, e.g., T1, T2, and T3.... TN. By referencing prior location
`
`coordinates, é¢., last known accurate location data of the clectromie racking device 100
`
`or dast known location data of nearby electronic tracking device (e.g. second tracking
`
`device 101 in proximity to electronic tracking device 100), monitoring station 116
`
`computes a current location of electronic tracking device 100 utilizing electronic tracking
`
`IS
`
`device velocity computations, Advantageously, monitering station 110,
`
`in an above
`
`described embodiment, uses above described device proximity measurements to monitor
`
`curremt location data of clectronic tracking device 100 without connectivity to receive
`
`communication signals from GPS satellites.
`
`In one embodiment,
`
`the monitoring station 110 may include a mobile phone
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`20
`
`having connectivity to wireless network 140 electrically coupled to electronic tracking
`
`device 100 (Figure 2),
`
`In this variant, the wireless. network 140 resides or circulates
`
`within at
`
`least a portion of a semi-enclosed, partiallv-encloged, or
`
`fully enclosed
`
`structure, ¢.g., building, parking structure, closet, storage room, orthe like (¢.g., structure
`
`210 in Figure 2). Furthermore, in one embodiment, the present invention conserves
`
`25
`
`battery power by placing on standby, low power mode, or disabling entirely GPS signal
`
`acquisttion circuitry and other associated devices, ¢.g., all ora portion of amplifier block
`
`120 inchiding power amplifiers, LNAs, switches, and the like.
`
`Furthermore, during
`
`supplemental
`
`location
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`coordinates
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`tracking,
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`«.@,
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`electronic
`
`device
`
`proximity
`
`measurements, the transcerver circuitry (¢.g., transceiver 102, location tracking cireuitry
`
`30)
`
`«114, and signal processing circuitry 104) consumes reduced battery power for GPS
`
`chreuitry while the electronic tracking device 100 communicates displacement vectors
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`(e.g., differential location coordinates) to monitoring station 110 (e.g.. a mobile phone, a
`
`personal digital assistant) through a wireless network 140, As deseribed above, when
`
`diiferential
`
`location coordinate information to calculate current
`
`location coordinate
`
`5
`
`information.
`
`In one enibodiment, accelerometer, ¢.g.. accelerometer 130, determines
`
`if
`
`electronic tracking device 100 in astationary position for a period,
`
`for instance,
`
`designated by system administrator or user. For example, electronic tracking device 100
`
`may be, for example, located on a counter top, within a pocket of clothing, or in suitcase,
`
`10
`
`net being moved, or not currently in use. Contmuing with this embodiment, electronic
`
`tracking device 100 communicates a code, ¢.g., a stationary acknowledgement code, te
`
`communication network, eg. wireless network 140,
`
`In one variant, when or if
`
`monitoring slation 110 requests location dala through communication network, electronie
`
`tracking device 100) determines located in a stationary or substantially stationary position
`
`IS
`
`and electronic tracking device 100 communicates
`
`its
`
`last-known location to the
`
`monitoring station 110 without accessing or requiring GPS signaling or active GPS
`
`creuitry, c.g.,
`
`location tracking circuitry 114. Advantageously,
`
`in this embodiment,
`
`when electronic tracking device 100 does not utilize and require GPS circuitry, ¢.¢.,
`
`location tracking circuitry 114, or functionality, the power resources are preserved of
`
`20~~battery 118 in contrast to many conventional GPS communication system continuing
`
`pewer-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.
`
`25
`
`In another embodiment, an accelerometer, such as accelerometer 130, detects
`
`tapping against electronic tracking device 100, For instance, upon wake-up, user prompt,
`
`system administrator prompt, or active, accelerometer 130 detecis 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
`
`30)
`
`processing circuitry 104)
`
`The digital
`
`signal programming circuitry recognizes
`
`programmed motions received by accelerometer,
`
`such as accelerometer 130, and
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`transmits an alert message to the monitoring station 110 upon receiving a recegnized
`
`motion pattern, Por example, electronic tracking device 100 may be programmed to
`
`recognize an “SOS tap cadence”. Thus, Welectronic tracking device 100 is repeatedly
`
`tapped,
`
`for
`
`instance,
`
`in a “dol-dot-dol, dash-dash-dash, dot-dot-dot” pattern, signal
`
`5
`
`processing cireuitry 104 recognizes a motion pattern and transmit an alerl message to
`
`wireless network 114 to monitoring station 110.
`
`In one instance, alert message may be
`
`associaled a distress pattern and require an appropriate response.
`
`In one varianl, the
`
`accelerometer may recognize when an object or individual spins or tums motion of
`
`electronic tracking device 100, Continuing with this embodiment, signal processing
`
`10
`
`circuitry 104 recognizes programmed motions, and transceiver 102 transmits an alert
`
`message to wireless network 114 associated with programmed motions.
`
`In another
`
`variant, electronic tracking device 100 is programmed 1o recognize other motion patterns,
`
`such as, when it is tumbled or flipped.Depending upon on duration, time, or cadence of
`
`these movements or motion patterns, clectronic tracking device 100 communicates an
`
`15
`
`alert message to the wireless network 114, In one variant, wireless network 114 performs
`
`an, appropriate action, such as communicating information signal to monitoring station
`
`LEQ.
`
`In another example, physical
`
`impacts on electronic tracking device EGO are
`
`measured to determine if an individual or object may be injured,
`
`In one enrbodiment,
`
`20
`
`«magnitude of displacement vectors may be measured by one or more accelerometers,
`
`such as accelerometer 130, disposed at various inclinations and orientations, e.g.,
`
`disposed substantially orthogonal to one another. Continuing with this embodiment,
`
`when a measured physical impact is above a predetermined level, an object or individual
`
`associated with electronic tracking device