Tracking unit
US8217791B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 2, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 2, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S2205/008
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A tracking unit for assisting in the recovery of stolen monies or other property includes a housing containing a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals from overhead satellites, a cellular phone transceiver, a microprocessor, and a battery. Following a theft, the microprocessor activates the cellular phone transceiver to dial the telephone number of a central monitoring station. The microprocessor obtains location data from the GPS receiver and transmits the location data, along with identification information, to the central monitoring station. The tracking unit also includes a separate, conventional RF beacon transmitter for allowing authorities to home-in on the tracking unit within a large building or other structure, either after the GPS signals are lost, or after the location of the tracking unit is localized to a specific building or area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.