(12) United States Patent
`Scalisi et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,598,855 B2
`Oct. 6, 2009
`
`US007598855B2
`
`(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOCATING
`INDIVIDUALS AND OBJECTS USING
`TRACKING DEVICES
`
`(75) Inventors: Joseph F. Scalisi, Yorba Linda, CA (US);
`David Morse, Laguna Hills, CA (US);
`Desiree C. Mejia, Anaheim, CA (US)
`(73) Assignee: Location Based Technologies, Inc.,
`Anaheim, CA (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 465 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/491,370
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 21, 2006
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2006/O255935 A1
`Nov. 16, 2006
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 11/048,395,
`filed on Feb. 1, 2005.
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GSB I/08
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................. 340/539.13: 340/539.1;
`340/539.11; 340/825.36; 340/825.49; 340/506
`(58) Field of Classification Search .............. 340/539.1,
`340/539.11, 539.13, 506, 825.36, 825.49
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5, 2002 Neher
`6,388,612 B1
`6,608,559 B1* 8/2003 Lemelson et al. ...... 340,539.13
`6,674,368 B2
`1/2004 Hawkins et al.
`6,812,824 B1
`11/2004 Golddinger
`6,998,985 B2
`2, 2006 Reisman et al.
`6,998,995 B2
`2/2006 Nakajima
`7,038,590 B2
`5, 2006 Hoffman et al.
`
`5, 2006 Watson
`7,049,957 B2
`6/2006 Strickland et al.
`7,064,711 B2
`6/2006 Akimov
`7,065,244 B2
`6/2006 Aoki
`7,065.348 B1
`6/2006 Ogaki et al.
`7,065,370 B2
`8, 2006 Weekes
`7,088,252 B2
`7,120,928 B2 10/2006 Steth et al.
`7,146,367 B2 12/2006 Shutt
`7,149,189 B2 12/2006 Huntington et al.
`7,155,238 B2 12/2006 Katz
`7,272,212 B2
`9, 2007 Eberle et al.
`7,272,662 B2
`9, 2007 Chesnais et al.
`2001/00483.64 A1 12/2001 Kalthoft et al.
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner Daryl Pope
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Law Office of Robert E.
`Kasody, P. C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system for monitoring objects and individuals. In this sys
`tem, a monitoring station is remotely accessible through a
`user interface. The interface is adapted to provide a visually
`cognizable rendering of an area and a tool useful for selecting
`at least a portion of said area, and to communicate a first
`request signal to provide location coordinates of a first track
`ing device. The first tracking device comprises a first trans
`ceiver adapted to receive the first request signal, and to trans
`mit a first reply signal that comprises a first identification
`code. In addition, a second tracking device having a second
`transceiver is adapted to receive the first reply signal, com
`pare the first identification code to a stored identification
`code, and communicate to the monitoring station a second
`reply signal that comprises location coordinates of the first
`tracking device in part responsive to Verification of the first
`identification code.
`
`17 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
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`531
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`S5
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`s
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`| -
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`42
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`- S2D
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`altenha
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`808
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`41
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`G" /
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0001
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`

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`US 7,598,855 B2
`Page 2
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2002fOO67256 A1
`6/2002 Kail, IV
`2002/0186135 Al 12/2002 Wagner
`2006,0009152 A1
`1/2006 Millard
`
`2006/0232429 A1 10, 2006 Gonzalez
`2006/0232449 A1 10, 2006 Gonzalez
`
`* cited by examiner
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0002
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 1 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`
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`410
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`409
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`402
`
`O
`
`>
`If the first tracking device
`402 > 1 mile away from
`safe zone (405), then
`alarm Sounds.
`
`Figure 1A
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0003
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 2 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`4.08
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`-- Parents
`- Joe
`- Uncle Bill
`- Aunt Mary
`
`
`
`www.my XXXXXX.com
`
`405
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`447
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`
`f
`
`is
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`410
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`402
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`
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`516
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`504
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`Figure 1B
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0004
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 3 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`531
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`520
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`508
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`506
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`s
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`500 N.
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`472
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`514
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`516
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`-
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`402
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`504
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`518
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`511
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`Figure 2A
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0005
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 4 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`
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`
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`WWXXXCO
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`Internet
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`antenna
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`402
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`504
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`Figure 2B
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0006
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 5 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`470
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`524
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`
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`506
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`524C
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`520
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`se antenna
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`473
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`Figure 2C
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 6 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`
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`531
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`ges antenna
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`506
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`/\
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`530
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`535
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`A -1."
`
`472
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`473
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`."
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`Figure 2D
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0008
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 7 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`60
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`Signal #3
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`Signal #1
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`Signal #2
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`600
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`402
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`Figure 3
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0009
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 8 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`tracking device
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`410
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`735
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`tracking device
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`516
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`4O2
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`504
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`tracking device
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`tracking device
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`A
`B
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`740
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`tracking device
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`730
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`tracking device
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`A
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`B
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`745
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`700
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`Figure 4
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0010
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 9 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`inport port
`Connector
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`microprocessorilogic circuit
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`signal receiver
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`wireless location and
`tracking logic circuit
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`
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`signal transmitter
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`
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`power level
`sensor
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`
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`power Supply
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`charging
`circuit
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`low signal
`detecting
`circuitry
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`Figure 5
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0011
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 10 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`activating the tracking device
`
`S901
`
`S902
`recognizing user identification code (Nuv
`
`providing positional coordinates
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`depicting the tracking device on a map
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`S903
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`S904
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`
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`
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`Figure 6A
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0012
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 11 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`activating the tracking device
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`S908
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`S909
`Sending a signal from a montoring station (NU/
`
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`
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`recognizing the user's identification code
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`requesting signal coordinates
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`determining received signal strength
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`providing a response upon the received
`signal strength above the defined value
`
`transmitting a response
`
`drawing the tracking device within a map
`
`receiving a signal
`
`calculating location data
`
`drawing the tracking device within a map
`
`calculating location data from the first
`general packet adio service signal
`
`receiving a second general packet radio
`service signal
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`Figure 6B
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`S910
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`S915
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`S920
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`S925
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`S930
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`S935
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`S940
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`S945
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`S950
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`S955
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`S960
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0013
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 12 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`
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`associating tracking device
`
`receiving a location request
`
`transmitting signals
`
`receiving signals based on
`signal selection criteria
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`determing location data
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`transmitting the location
`data
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`informing user of location of
`the tracking device
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`S1 OO1
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`S10O2
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`S1003
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`S1004
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`S1005
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`S1 OO6
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`S1007
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`Figure 7A
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0014
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 6, 2009
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`Sheet 13 of 13
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`S1009
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`S1010
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`S1015
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`S1020
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`S1025
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`S1030
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`S1035
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`S1040
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`S1045
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`S1050
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`SO55
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`S1060
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`S1065
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`associating tracking device
`
`receiving a location request
`
`transmitting a signal from a
`monitoring station
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`activating circuit
`
`calculating positioning
`signal strength
`
`transmitting a mobile signal
`
`calculating the mobile
`signal strength
`
`transmitting a tracking
`signal
`
`Calculating a tracking signal
`strength
`
`determining which signal
`matches a defined signal
`Selection Criteria
`
`Calculating location data
`
`transmitting the location
`data
`
`
`
`informing the user of the
`location of the tracking
`device
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`Figure 7B
`
`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0015
`
`

`

`1.
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOCATING
`INDIVIDUALS AND OBJECTS USING
`TRACKING DEVICES
`
`PRIORITY
`
`5
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of and
`claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/048,
`395, filed on Feb. 1, 2005, entitled “System for Locating
`Individuals and Objects” which is incorporated herein by 10
`reference in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`15
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The invention relates generally to the field of communica
`tions systems that provide location information. More par
`ticularly, the present invention relates in one embodiment to a
`system for monitoring location information of a tracking unit
`associated with an individual or object that uses wireless data 20
`transfer and/or wireless location and tracking systems and
`wireless communication system (WCS).
`2. Description of Related Technology
`In conventional communication systems, location infor
`mation of individuals may be monitored. For instance, loca- 25
`tion information Such as positional coordinates may be
`tracked or monitored for a variety of individuals, such as
`children, Alzheimer's syndrome patients, or mentally ill per
`sons. Furthermore, location information for animals, such as
`cats and dogs, may be tracked using these conventional sys- 30
`tems to locate a lost or stolen animal. In other conventional
`communication Systems, Scientists. Such as Zoologists, track,
`for example, wild animals to study and collect data related to
`their mating and/or nocturnal behavioral patterns.
`In addition, objects are also tracked or located that use 35
`these systems. For example, merchants choose to track the
`location of goods as part of an inventory function and/or an
`anti-theft mode. In another example, police often use loca
`tion-tracking systems to facilitate recovery of stolen automo
`biles, such as the LojackTM vehicle recovery system offered 40
`by the Lo Jack Corporation of Westwood, Mass, in the United
`States. Automobile rental agencies often track a location of
`automobiles that customers rent to ensure their automobile is
`maintained within a contracted rental use boundary. Other
`location systems provided in select automobiles assist a 45
`driver navigating to a desired destination, Such as the
`OnStarTM system offered by the OnStar Corporation of
`Detroit, Mich, in the United States.
`Global Positioning System (GPS) technology may be
`incorporated in these conventional communication systems. 50
`GPS technology determines positional information of a GPS
`receiver based on measuring signal transfer times between
`satellites having known positions and the GPS receiver. The
`signal transfer time of a signal is proportional to a distance of
`a respective satellite from the GPS receiver. Consequently, 55
`the distance between the satellite and the GPS receiver can be
`converted, utilizing signal propagation Velocity, into a respec
`tive signal transfer time. The positional information of the
`GPS receiver is calculated based on distance calculations
`from at least four satellites.
`As such, GPS technology provides outdoor, line-of-sight
`communication between a GPS receiver and a centralized
`station within areas that are unobstructed by fabricated struc
`tures and natural features. Fabricated Structures may include
`multi-story buildings, bridges, dams, and the like. Natural 65
`features include mountains, hills, Valleys, canyons, cliffs, and
`the like. Exemplary products, such as WherifoneTM and
`
`60
`
`US 7,598,855 B2
`
`2
`Guardian LionTM, use GPS technology to track individuals
`and/or objects from a centralized monitoring station.
`A graphical map may be provided with a conventional
`centralized monitoring station. For instance, the graphical
`map may be two dimensional, or even a three-dimensional,
`topological map that depicts landscaping, marine, or other
`environments. The map typically displays representative
`icons of individuals and/or objects being tracked. In one
`example, a mobile device may display the three-dimensional
`map, including primary regions and Sub-regions that are pre
`programmed to create a series of overlay maps for viewing on
`a computer display. In yet another example, map information
`of a first and second user terminal is synthesized; a map is
`chosen based on the map information from the database; and
`the map information is displayed on at least one of the first
`user and the second user terminal. In another GPS conven
`tional communication example, GPS positioning information
`is transmitted from a GPS unit and between peripheral
`devices, such as between a camera and a PalmPilot, through
`a local wireless communication unit or interface.
`GPS systems generally representative of the above appa
`ratuses include, e.g., those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,064.
`711 to Strickland et al. entitled “Method for Iterative Deter
`mination of Distance between Receiving Station and
`Transmitting Station and Also Calculating Unit and Com
`puter Software Product’ issued Jun. 20, 2006. In yet another
`example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,065.244 to Akimov issued on Jun.
`20, 2006, and entitled “Method for Mapping a Three Dimen
`sional Area' demonstrates the above GPS systems.
`Still other representative prior art patents include U.S. Pat.
`No. 7,065.370 to Ogaki et al. entitled “Positioning Informa
`tion Transmitting Device and Positioning Information Trans
`mitting/Receiving System’ issued on Jun. 20, 2006, and U.S.
`Pat. No. 7,065.348 to Aoki entitled “Communication System
`for Providing Information on Position of Communication
`Party” Also issued on Jun. 20, 2006.
`In summary, the prior art provides a user limited flexibility
`to adjust a controlled monitoring area about an object. In
`addition, the prior art provides limited flexibility for a user
`choosing and creating custom maps for viewing and locating
`objects. Furthermore, the prior art has limited capability for
`viewing objects by a remotely located user. Finally, the prior
`art has limited ability calculating positional data of objects
`when GPS signaling is not available.
`Thus, what is needed are apparatus and methods for wire
`less data transfer and/or wireless location and tracking sys
`tems that provide additional advantages over conventional
`systems. These advantages would include, inter alia, calcu
`lating positional data and location coordinates of tracking
`devices when GPS signaling is unavailable, providing graphi
`cal displays for Subscribers which aid monitoring and track
`ing objects and/or individuals, and/or providing security mea
`Sures when monitoring tracking devices to prevent
`unauthorized detection and spying on individuals.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In a first aspect of the present invention, a system for
`tracking is disclosed. In one embodiment of this system, a
`monitoring station is remotely accessed through a user inter
`face. The interface is adapted to provide a visually cognizable
`rendering of an area and a tool useful for selecting at least a
`portion of said area, and to communicate a first request signal
`to provide location coordinates of a first tracking device. The
`first tracking device includes a first transceiver adapted to
`receive the first request signal, and to transmit a first reply
`signal that comprises a first identification code. A second
`
`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0016
`
`

`

`3
`tracking device is also provided having a second transceiver
`that is adapted to receive the first reply signal, compare the
`first identification code to a stored identification code, and
`communicate to the monitoring station a second reply signal.
`The second reply signal includes location coordinates of the
`first tracking device in part responsive to Verification of the
`first identification code.
`In a second aspect of the invention, a system is disclosed
`comprising a first and a second tracking device. In one
`embodiment, the first tracking device has a first transceiver to
`receive a first request signal and to transmit a first reply signal.
`The first reply signal comprises first location data, a first
`microprocessor to process a first request signal provided
`through a Subscriber interface that is remotely located, and a
`first identification code that is communicated as part of a first
`reply signal. In addition, a second tracking device has a sec
`ond tracking transceiver that receives the first reply signal,
`and Verifies the first identification code as a recognized code.
`In response to Verification, the second tracking device com
`municates a second reply signal that comprises a second
`identification code to the first tracking device. In response to
`the second reply signal, the first tracking device calculates a
`relative distance between the first and the second devices.
`Furthermore, the first tracking device communicates an
`adjustment signal that comprises verbal or audio queues that
`indicate directional information of the first tracking device in
`relation to the second tracking device.
`In a third aspect of the present invention, a method is
`disclosed for locating an individual or an object. In one
`embodiment, the method includes receiving a location
`request from a user and activating a positioning apparatus
`associated with the tracking device. The method further
`includes transmitting to a tracking device: a first signal from
`a monitoring station, a second signal from a wireless location
`and tracking system, a third signal from a mobile transceiver,
`and a fourth signal from an adjacent tracking device. The
`method further includes determining which of the first signal,
`the second signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal match
`defined selection criteria that is stored in the tracking device.
`The method may further include the steps of determining
`location data in part based on a signal selected utilizing the
`defined selection criteria, transmitting the location data to the
`monitoring station for analysis to determine a location of the
`tracking device; and informing the user of the location of the
`tracking device on a map.
`In a fourth aspect of the invention, a system for tracking
`object is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a
`wireless monitoring device associated with a remote user, and
`a first tracking device that provides a wireless positioning
`signal to a monitoring station. A mapping apparatus is further
`included that maps first location coordinates of the first track
`ing device on a map comprising an arbitrarily shaped safe
`Zone. The remote user, in one embodiment, is capable of
`locating, tracking, and communicating with the first tracking
`device through a monitoring station. Furthermore, the moni
`toring station may be adapted to monitor the first location
`coordinates and second location coordinates of a second
`tracking device so that positioning information of each is
`accessible to the remote user.
`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 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
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`4
`instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly
`pointed out in the appended claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIGS. 1A and 1B are graphical representations of a posi
`tioning and tracking system for defining an area (e.g., arbi
`trary shaped safe Zone) in accordance with an embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are graphical representations of
`a positioning and tracking system for a second tracking
`device utilized to find location coordinates of a first tracking
`device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of a positioning and
`tracking system utilizing a wireless communication system to
`determine location coordinates for the first tracking device in
`accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of a positioning and
`tracking system 700 for locating a first tracking device 402
`using other user's tracking devices.
`FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the first tracking
`device in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIGS. 6A, 6B are a logical flow diagrams illustrating one
`exemplary embodiment of a method for locating an indi
`vidual or an object in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIGS. 7A,7B are logical flow diagrams illustrating another
`exemplary embodiment of a method for locating an indi
`vidual oran object in accordance with another embodiment of
`the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like
`numerals refer to like parts throughout.
`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. The
`terms “tracking device' refers to without limitation to any
`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 (“fab
`ricated') on a small rectangle (a “die”) cut from, for example,
`a Silicon (or special applications, Sapphire), Gallium Ars
`enide, 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 con
`Verter). 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 millime
`ters. The small size of these circuits allows high speed, low
`power dissipation, and reduced manufacturing cost compared
`with board-level integration.
`Furthermore, the terms "wireless data transfer,” “wireless
`tracking and location system.” “positioning system, and
`“wireless positioning system” refer without limitation to any
`wireless system that transfers and/or determines location
`coordinates using one or more devices, such as Global Posi
`tioning System (GPS). The terms “Global Positioning Sys
`tem” refers to without limitation any services, methods, or
`devices that utilize GPS technology that determine a position
`
`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0017
`
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`of a GPS receiver based on measuring signal transfer times
`between satellites having known position1s and the GPS
`receiver. The signal transfer time for a signal is proportional
`to a distance of the respective satellite from the GPS receiver.
`The distance between the satellite and the GPS receiver may
`be converted, utilizing signal propagation Velocity, into the
`respective signal transfer time. The positional information of
`the GPS receiver is calculated based on distance calculations
`from at least four satellites. Furthermore, the term "wireless
`communication system’ refers to any system that uses com
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`munication stations and a wireless location means for deter
`mining positional coordinates such as Global Positioning
`Radio Service (GPRS).
`Overview
`In one salient aspect, the present invention discloses appa
`ratus and method of calculating, interalia, determining loca
`tion coordinates of a first tracking device. In particular, the
`first tracking device has a first transceiver. The first trans
`ceiver receives a first request signal from a remote user ter
`minal equipped with a map. The first transceiver transmits a
`first reply signal including a first identification code. The
`second tracking device has a second transceiver. The second
`transceiver advantageously provides for receiving the first
`reply signal and comparing the first identification code to a
`stored identification code. Upon verification of the first iden
`tification code, the second transceiver calculates the location
`coordinates of the first tracking device without the need for
`the first tracking device directly connecting to GPS satellites.
`The second transceiver communicates a second reply signal
`to the monitoring station. The second reply signal comprises
`the location coordinates.
`Broadly, the present invention generally provides a system
`and method for locating and tracking an individual or an
`object. The system produced according to the present inven
`tion may find beneficial use for locating and tracking people,
`Such as missing, lost, or abducted persons, Alzheimer's Syn
`drome patients, or mentally ill persons. The system may also
`be useful for locating and tracking animals. Additionally,
`objects, such as vehicles, goods, and merchandise may be
`located and tracked with the system produced by the present
`invention. Although the following discussion may use lost or
`abducted child as an exemplary demonstration, it is to be
`understood that this discussion is not limiting and that the
`present invention may be used in other Suitable applications.
`The present invention may be used to locate and track a
`tracking device that is concealed on an individual (Such as in
`a pocket, backpack, shoe, button, shirt collar, woven into
`fabric of a jacket or Sweater, or the like). Consequently, in the
`event of abduction, an abductor is unlikely to remove and
`discard a concealed tracking device as compared to conven
`tional tracking devices that are conspicuously displayed. For
`example, conventional tracking devices are generally incor
`porated as part of a conspicuous device, such as with or part
`of a mobile phone, pager, personal data assistant, or any other
`recognizable electronic device.
`Additionally, conventional systems depend upon maintain
`ing direct outdoor line-of-sight communication between a
`global positioning system (GPS) satellite and a tracked
`object. The system of the present invention does not require
`direct line-of-sight and the system effectively locates and
`tracks individuals and objects in indoor situations.
`Conventional systems often require an individual to acti
`vate manually a location system before signals can be
`received and transmitted between the individual and a person
`attempting to locate the individual. However, in one embodi
`ment, the system of the present invention may be passive in
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`that a user may remotely activate the tracking device, instead
`of the tracking device remaining constantly on, once the user
`attempts to locate the tracking device. In one embodiment of
`the invention, no action is required on the behalf of an indi
`vidual having the tracking device being located and tracked.
`In yet another instance, one or more tracking devices may be
`remotely activated to monitor and determine location coordi
`nates (or relative distance from a second tracking device) of a
`first tracking device. In yet another instance, a first tracking
`device, and a second tracking device are remotely monitored
`by a user using a wireless device. Such as a cell phone,
`utilizing a monitoring station.
`Exemplary Extension Apparatus—
`Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, exemplary embodiments of
`the tracking and monitoring system of the invention are
`described in detail. 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 for example and
`without limitation. Some applications include control sys
`tems that monitor components such as transducers, sensors,
`and electrical and/or optical components within an assembly
`line process.
`Moreover, it will be recognized that the present invention
`may find utility beyond purely tracking and monitoring con
`cerns. For example, the “tracking device' and “user-defined
`mapping criteria' described Subsequently herein may con
`ceivably be utilized to improve other applications; e.g.,
`increasing functionality and electrical properties of circuits
`utilized to improve computational efficiency and increase
`accuracy of calculated quantities. The calculated quantities
`may include Velocity of objects traveling through an assem
`bly line process for determining which portions of the process
`are running efficiently and which portions may require pro
`cess improvements or modifications. Other functions might
`include module assembly (e.g., for purposes of providing
`transceivers that provide multiple methods and user choices
`for displaying electrical properties and measurement param
`eters during testing and/or operations before, during or after
`wireless module completion, and so forth). Myriad of other
`functions will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the
`art given the present disclosure.
`FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a positioning and tracking
`system 400 for defining an arbitrary shaped safe Zone 405 in
`accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
`Referring to FIG. 1A, an image selection tool 401, e.g.,
`screen pointer, is utilized to select a visually cognizable ren
`dering of an area, e.g., selecting at least a portion of an area,
`on a subscriberinterface 403, e.g., a web-based interface. The
`area selected by the image selection tool 401, for example,
`may be a safe Zone 405. The safe Zone 405 is an area that a
`user (a Subscriber) specifies as a low injury risk area for
`individuals and/or objects. The safe Zone 405 defined or
`described is specified utilizing one or more parameters. For
`instance, the safe Zone 405, e.g., a home Zone, may be speci
`fied, e.g., be establish by a user-defined mapping criteria
`using any of the following parameters: Zip code boundaries,
`addresses, landmarks, buildings, mountain ranges, a WiFi hot
`spot, and distances from a specified location, Such as one
`chosen by a subscriber. Upon the first tracking device 402
`possessed by an individual traveling more than one mile from
`the safe Zone 405, an alarm alert is sent to a user. In yet another
`example, an alarm is sent when the first tracking device 402
`travels outside of a circularly shaped boundary 421 about a
`location 423, such as a WiFi network located in a coffee shop
`or “WiFi hot spot' designed area, within the safe Zone 405.
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`Petitioner Uber Ex-1001, 0018
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`US 7,598,855 B2
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`Furthermore, the system 400 allows a user to draw an area
`such as a safe Zone 405, which may be an arbitrary shaped
`Zone, e.g., a closed shaped user-defined polygon or a circle.
`For instance, a parent and/or Scoutmaster may enter the safe
`Zone 405 that encompasses a small neighborhood 408, a
`school campus 425, a stadium 430, a national park 435, or the
`like, and excludes other areas such as an automobile repair
`shop 440, warehouse 445, and high automobile traffic areas
`446. Upon a child having the first tracking device 402 leaving
`the user-defined polygon region, e.g., the safe Zone 405, an
`alert Such as an audible alarm will be sent to a parent or
`guardian of the child.
`As shown in FIG. 1B, the system 400 attempts to contact
`individuals on a notification list 408 if the child enters a
`danger Zone, such as a riverbed 447. The notification list 408
`may be prepared in a subscriber-defined order. For instance, if
`a user 504, such as one of the parents, is first on the notifica
`tion list 408, the system 400 communicates a message to the
`user 504 using email, SMS, voicemail, and telephone call. In
`one optional feature, an individual on the notification list 408
`is required to confirm receipt of the message. Otherwise, the
`system 400 continues to contact other individuals on the
`notification list 408 until it receives a confirmation message
`from that individual. In another embodiment, the system 400
`is time limited so that monitoring may be enabled or disabled
`based on or in response to user-defined features. Such user
`defined features may include enabling or disabling monitor
`ing during a specific time of day or day of the week.
`For instance, the tracking features may be shut off on
`Saturday or Sunday or when the child is located in the home.
`In one variation of the present embodiment, multiple indi
`viduals or subscribers may establish (or share (e.g., pool)
`existing or newly established) user-defined features; includ
`ing safe Zones or periods, which may apply to one or multiple
`tracking devices, such a first and second tracking devices 402.
`410. The pooling of subscriber's tracking devices provides