Station
`
`Monitoring
`
`18
`
`Signal processing
`circuity
`
`Location tracking
`circuitry
`
`Accelerometer
`
`J
`
`signal detecting
`circuitry
`
`Transceiver
`
`|
`
`|
`
`s
`
`122a, 122h
`j
`
`Ampilifer
`
`antennas
`
`‘
`
`°
`
`monitor
`
`.
`
`P aos
`
`battery
`charging §
`circuitry
`
`2
`
`Battery level
`
`Figure 1
`
`
`
`Monitoring
`
`18
`
`Signal processing
`circuity
`
`Location tracking
`circuitry
`
`Accelerometer
`
`J
`
`signal detecting
`circuitry
`
`Transceiver
`
`|
`
`|
`
`s
`
`122a, 122h
`j
`
`Ampilifer
`
`antennas
`
`‘
`
`°
`
`monitor
`
`.
`
`P aos
`
`battery
`charging §
`circuitry
`
`2
`
`Battery level
`
`Figure 1
`
`
`
`it?
`
`GPS satelite
`
`2/3
`
`240
`
`200
`
`Figure 2
`
`
`
`3/3
`
`$302
`
`Antenna acquire
`snapshot information
`
`-*=
`
`Processor processes
`snapshot information
`
`Determine powerlevel f
`
`3304
`
`$306
`
`$312
`
`| Activate accelerometer
`if power level = fo or
`less than first signal
`level.
`
`
`
` Reactivate location
`
`
`
`|
`
`Processing unit
`computes location
`coordinates
`
`‘
`
`tracking circuitry if power
`level greater than first
`signal level
`
`Figure 3
`
`
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING LOCATION AND TRACKING COORDINATES OF
`
`A TRACKING DEVICE
`
`Related Applications
`
`[0001] This application is a Divisional of, claims priority to, and incorporates herein in its
`
`entirety US patent application Serial No. 11/969,905 filed January 6, 2008.
`
`[0002] This application also incorporates by reference in their entirety: U.S. patent
`
`application Serial No. 11/753,979 filed on May 25, 2007, entitled "Apparatus and Method for
`
`Providing Location Information on Individuals and Objects Using Tracking Devices"; US patent
`
`application Serial No. 11/933,024 filed on October 31, 2007, entitled "Apparatus and Method
`
`for Manufacturing an Electronic Package”, US patent application Serial No. 11/784,400 filed on
`
`April 5, 2007, entitled "Communication System and Method Including Dual Mode Capability”;
`
`US patent application Serial No. 11/784,318 filed on April 5, 2007, entitled "Communication
`
`System and MethodIncluding Communication Billing Options"; and US patent application Serial
`
`No. 11/935, 901 filed on November 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."
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] The
`
`invention relates generally to the field of
`
`location and_
`
`tracking
`
`communication systems. More particularly, the present invention relates in one embodiment
`
`
`
`to an accelerometer 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
`
`communication system (WCS).
`
`Description of Related Technology
`
`[0004] Accelerometers are conventionally integrated into electronics systems that are
`
`part of a vehicle, vessel, and airplane to detect, measure, and monitor deflections, vibrations,
`
`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 electronics
`
`manufacturers.
`
`[0005] 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., 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®
`
`touch screen interface; and to measure game movementand tilt, e.g., Wii gaming remotes.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Still electronics§circuitry manufacturersothers including automobile utilize MEMS
`
`
`
`
`
`accelerometers to initiate airbag deployment in accordance with a detected collision severity
`
`level by measuring negative vehicle acceleration.
`
`2
`
`
`
`[0006] Other electronics manufacturer products, e.g., Nokia 5500 sport, count step
`
`motions using a 3D accelerometer, 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 displacementor falling incidents. For instance, when a hard-disk accelerometer detects
`
`a low-g condition, e.g., indicating free-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-disk tracks. Still others including medical product manufacturers
`
`utilize accelerometers to measure depth of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) chest
`
`compressions. Sportswear manufacturers, e.g., Nike sports watches and footwear, incorporate
`
`accelerometers to feedback speed and distance to a runner via a connected iPod® Nano.
`
`[0007] Still others including manufacturers of conventional inertial navigation systems
`
`deploy one or more accelerometers 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 integrate 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 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 receiver, or position and velocity measurements from one or more
`
`motion sensors.
`
`
`
`[0008] More specifically,
`
`integration 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 system
`
`velocities yields an updated inertial system orientate, e.g., tilt, angle, and roll, within a system
`
`limited positioning accuracy.
`
`In one instance to improve positioning accuracy, conventional
`
`inertial navigation systems utilize GPS system outputs.
`
`In another instance 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
`
`examples, control theory and Kalman filtering provide a framework to combine motion sensor
`
`information in attempts to improve positional accuracy of the updated inertial system
`
`orientation.
`
`[0009] Potential drawbacks of many conventional inertial navigations systems include
`
`electrical and mechanical hardware occupying a large real estate footprint and requiring
`
`complex electronic measurement and control circuitry with limited applicability to changed
`
`environmental conditions.
`
`Furthermore, many conventional
`
`inertial navigation system
`
`calculations are prone to accumulated acceleration and velocity measurement errors.
`
`For
`
`instance, many conventional inertial navigations accelerations 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.
`
`[0010] In contrast to conventional inertial navigation systems, a conventional Global
`
`Positioning Satellite (GPS) system 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 monitoring of location
`
`coordinates is practical when a GPS transceiver receives at least a minimal GPS signal
`
`level.
`
`However, a minimal GPS signal level may not be detectable when and individual or object is not
`
`located in a skyward position.
`
`For instance, when an 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 is a GPS transceiver receiving a weak GPS signal, but also
`
`the GPS transceiver is depleting battery power in failed attempts to acquire communications
`
`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.
`
`[0011] In summary, electronic tracking device and methodology is needed that provides
`
`additional advantages over conventional systems such as improved power management, e.g.,
`
`efficient use of battery power, and provide other improvements including supplementing
`
`conventional electronic tracking device monitoring, 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 parking structure, or a substantially enclosed structure, such as a
`
`basementor a storage area in a high-rise office building.
`
`Summaryof the Invention
`
`[0012] 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,
`
`5
`
`
`
`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 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.
`
`[0013] 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 managementcircuitry (e.g., battery monitor) controls power levels associated with the
`
`first
`
`tracking 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 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 displacementis utilized to compute current
`
`location coordinates information of
`
`the first
`
`tracking device.
`
`In another variant,
`
`the
`
`accelerometer 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).
`
`
`
`[0014] 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 thoseskilled in the art by reference to the following description of the invention
`
`and referenced drawingsor by practice of 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 claims.
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`
`[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of an electronic tracking device in accordance with
`
`an embodimentof the present invention.
`
`[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a location tracking system associated with the electronic
`
`tracking device and the wireless network in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`
`invention.
`
`[0017] 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
`
`[0018] Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts
`
`throughout.
`
`
`
`[0019] 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
`
`longitudinal, latitudinal, and elevational positional coordinates.
`
`[0020] As used herein, the terms "tracking device" and "electronic tracking device” refer
`
`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 applications, 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 integration.
`
`[0021] As used herein,
`
`the terms "data transfer", "tracking and location system",
`
`"location and tracking system", "location tracking system", and "positioning system," refer to
`
`withoutlimitation to any system, that transfers and/or determines location coordinates using
`
`one or moredevices, such as Global Positioning System (GPS).
`
`[0022] As used herein, the terms "Global Positioning System" 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 positions and the GPS receiver. A signal transfer time is proportional, to a
`
`distance of a respective satellite from the GPS receiver. The distance betweenasatellite 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
`
`information of the GPS
`
`receiver.
`
`[0023] As used herein, the terms "wireless network" refers to, without limitation, any
`
`digital, analog, microwave, and millimeter wave communication networks that transfer signals
`
`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
`
`[0024] 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 signaling.
`
`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%S satellites, e.g., a
`
`primary location tracking system. In yet another embodiment, accelerometer measures force
`
`9
`
`
`
`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 object or individual having the electronic tracking device. As described
`
`throughout the following specification, the present invention generally provides a portable
`
`electronic device configuration for locating and tracking an individual or an object.
`
`Exemplary Apparatus
`
`[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2 exemplary embodiments 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 electronic modules included in items such
`
`as: watches, calculators, clocks, computer keyboards, computer mice, and/or mobile phones to
`
`locate and track trajectory of movement and current location of these items within boundaries
`
`of or proximity to a room, building, city, state, and country.
`
`[0026] 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
`
`componentsthat are part of an assembly line process. Moreover, it will be recognized that the
`
`present invention may find utility beyond purely tracking and monitoring concerns. Myriad of
`
`10
`
`
`
`other functions will be recognized by those of ordinary skill
`
`in the art given the present
`
`disclosure.
`
`Electronic Tracking Device
`
`[0027] 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. 11/933,024 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 position
`
`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
`
`11
`
`
`
`another example, electronic tracking device 100 may be one integrated circuit having
`
`dimensionality in the mm rangein all directions (or even smaller).
`
`[0028] In one embodiment,
`
`location tracking circuitry 114, calculates location data
`
`received and sends the data to signal processing circuitry 104. Memory 112 stores operating
`
`software 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 detecting
`
`circuitry 115 detects and measures signal power level.
`
`In another embodiment, the signal
`
`processing circuitry 104 processes and measures signal power level. Battery level detection
`
`circuitry (e.g., battery level monitor 116) detects a battery level of battery 118, which contains
`
`one or moreindividual units or a plurality of units grouped as a single unit.
`
`[0029] In one non-limiting example, antennas 122a, 122b electrically couple to
`
`transceiver 102.
`
`In one variant, transceiver 102 includes one integrated circuit or, in another
`
`embodiment, may be multiple individual circuits or
`
`integrated 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 battery level of
`
`the battery 118. In one embodiment, a user of monitoring station 110, e.g., 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
`
`12
`
`
`
`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).
`
`[0030] In another embodiment, an accelerometer 130,
`
`for example,
`
`a dual-axis
`
`accelerometer 130, e.g. ADXL320 integrated 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 activates 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 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 conserve a battery level of the battery 118.
`
`[0031] 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
`
`tracking 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
`
`13
`
`
`
`to a periodic check by the tracking device 100 of a receive communication signal level above a
`
`first signal level).
`
`[0032] 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, 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 beams generates differential voltage(s).
`
`[0033] Differential voltage(s) are proportional
`
`to acceleration measurements, @.g.,
`
`discrete acceleration measurements, of electronic tracking device 100, for instance in x, y, and z
`
`directions. Differential voltage(s), in one instance, are relative to, for instance, 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 instructions by a system administrator
`
`or user. In one embodiment, time intervals are selected within a range of one micro-second to
`
`several minutes.
`
`[0034] In one embodiment, the monitoring station 110 performs an integration of the
`
`acceleration measurements as a function of time to compute electronic tracking device velocity
`
`14
`
`
`
`at time intervals, e.g., T1, T2, and T3... TN. By referencing 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 current location of electronic tracking
`
`device 100 utilizing electronic tracking device velocity computations. Advantageously,
`
`monitoring station 110,
`
`in an above described embodiment, uses above described device
`
`proximity measurements to monitor current location data of electronic tracking device 100
`
`without connectivity to receive communication signals from GPS satellites.
`
`[0035] In one embodiment, the monitoring station 110 may include a mobile phone
`
`having connectivity to wireless network 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., structure 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 supplemental
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`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 location coordinates) to monitoring station 110 (e.g., a mobile phone, a personal
`
`digital assistant) through a wireless network 140. As described above, when GPS signaling is not
`
`15
`
`
`
`practicable, electronic device proximity measurements provide differential location coordinate
`
`information to calculate current location coordinate information.
`
`[0036] In one embodiment, accelerometer, e.g., accelerometer 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 tracking 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
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`communicates a code, e.g., a stationary acknowledgement code, to communication network,
`
`e.g., wireless network 140. In one variant, when or if monitoring station 110 requests location
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`data through communication network, electronic tracking device 100 determines whether it is
`
`located in a stationary or substantially stationary position and electronic tracking device 100
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`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 circuitry 114, or functionality, the power resources
`
`are preserved of battery 118 in contrast to many conventional GPS communication systems,
`
`which continue powering-on GPS circuitry. In one embodiment, electronic tracking device 130
`
`associated with a person or object remains at a substantially stationary position approximately
`
`one-fourth to one-third of a calendar day; thus, this feature of not accessing GPS circuitry
`
`preserves battery power.
`
`[0037] In another embodiment, an accelerometer, such as accelerometer 130, detects
`
`tapping against electronic tracking device 100. For instance, upon wake-up, user prompt,
`
`16
`
`
`
`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
`
`signal 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, electronic tracking
`
`device 100 may be programmed to recognize an "SOS tap cadence". Thus, it electronic tracking
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`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
`
`message to wireless network 114 to monitoring station 110. In one instance, alert message may
`
`be associated with a distress pattern and may require an appropriate response. In one variant,
`
`the accelerometer may recognize when an object or individual spins or turns motion of
`
`electronic tracking device 100. Continuing with this embodiment, signal processing 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 to recognize other motion patterns, such as when it is tumbled or
`
`flipped. Depending upon duration, time, or cadence of these movements or motion patterns,
`
`electronic tracking device 100 communicates an 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 110.
`
`[0038] In another example, physical
`
`impacts on electronic tracking device 100 are
`
`measured to determine if an individual or object may be injured.
`
`In one embodiment,
`
`17
`
`
`
`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
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`physical
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`impact
`
`is above a predetermined level, an object or individual associated with
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`electronic tracking device 100 may have suffered a fall or be in need of medical attention. In
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`one variant of this embodiment, a user (e.g., a system administrator, or person located in a
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`contact book) at monitoring station 110 becomesalerted, e.g., by text message, email, or voice
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`mail (as more fully described in previously incorporated by reference U.S. patent application
`
`Ser. No. 11/935,901 filed on Nov. 6, 2007, entit
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