Modular tracking device

US11676469B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• T-Mobile USA, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Christopher Painter · Kirkland, US
• Todd Mason · Bellevue, US
• Barry Butterklee · Sammamish, US
• Gavin Feuer · Seattle, US
• Yasha Li · Redmond, US
• Parag Garg · Woodinville, US
• Joseph Baird · Kent, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2021
• Grant date: Jun 13, 2023
• Expiry date: Jun 23, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A01K11/008
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Techniques and examples pertaining to a tracking method using a two-component tracking device are described. The tracking device includes two components paired with one another: a first component that is specific to a subject the tracking device is intended to track, and a second component that is generic. The second component is capable of establishing a wireless connection with a cellular network, as well as collecting location information of the second component itself. The tracking method involves receiving from the cellular network a set of requirements associated with the subject, and triggering an action based on the set of requirements and the location information collected. The tracking method enables tracking of multiple subjects without a pairing mistake. Namely, a mismatch between multiple subjects to be tracked and multiple tracking devices intended to track the subjects can be avoided.