Numerex Corporation

Omnilink Systems, Inc.

Cellco Partnership

Other

Yoganand Rajala

Steve Aninye

Monica Chitre

Jeffery O Smith

Peter Charles Bates

Paul Sharad Tuscano

Brent Robert Blum

David Scheppegrell

Francis Eugene Rohling

Matt Nadler

Daniel Graff-Radford

Real estate properties can have lockboxes that contain keys for gaining property access. The lockboxes can record information about each real estate agent who showed a property and can wirelessly transmit that information for storage in a database. The information can include the agent's identity, an identifier of the lockbox or property, and an access time, for example. The agent can carry a personal emergency response system (PERS) device so that the agent can send out a wireless emergency alert if the agent feels threatened or otherwise experiences an emergency situation. Upon receipt of such a wireless emergency alert, a remote system can access the database to determine one or more properties that the agent has visited. Thus, the system can track the agent and determine a location of the emergency situation.

Method and system for locating a personal emergency response system (PERS) device based on real estate lockbox interaction

A wireless tracking device can utilize a location detector, such as a GPS receiver or a short-range receiver, to provide locational information for the wireless tracking device. The wireless tracking device can transmit the locational information over a cellular network. Geofences can help manage location of the wireless tracking device. An analysis can be conducted at the wireless tracking device, at a server, or at some other appropriate location to assess integrity of the locational information. A determination as to whether the wireless tracking device is in an area can be based on the locational information and the integrity of the locational information.

Method and system for locating a wireless tracking device

A wireless tracking device can operate in two or more modes in connection with determining location of the wireless tracking device. In one mode, the wireless tracking device can determine location by establishing communication with an alarm panel using a short-range transceiver. The alarm panel can have a location that is known at the alarm panel or at a remote server, for example. In another mode, the wireless tracking device can utilize a location detector, such as a GPS receiver or a short-range receiver, to determine location of the wireless tracking device.

Method and system for locating a wireless tracking device associated with a network of alarm panels

A computer-based system can generate geofences that are useful for managing offenders who are wearing devices that track their locations, such as offender monitors. In one mode, the computer-based system can track an offender's movement patterns and associated times and utilize the resulting data to generate proposed geofences. In another mode, the computer-based system can propose geofences based on offender category. Establishment categories can be determined based on offender category, and establishments can be identified based on establishment category. Proposed geofences can be created for the identified establishments.

Method and system for generating geofences for managing offender movement

A portable device, for example an offender monitor, can utilize a location detector, such as a GPS receiver, to provide locational information for the device. The portable device can communicate over a cellular network, for example transmitting location readings over the network. The device can maintain the location detector in a state of reduced energy consumption and activate the receiver when conditions of the cellular environment indicate a high probability of the device moving a noteworthy distance. In various examples, the decision can take into consideration change in signal strength and/or history of cell tower utilization.

Method and system for managing a location detector

A portable device, for example an offender monitor, can utilize a location detector, such as a GPS receiver, to provide location information for the device. The portable device can utilize geofences in connection with managing device location and can communicate over a cellular network, for example using a radio to transmit location readings over the network. The location detector and the radio can draw power from an onboard battery. To conserve battery life, the rate of acquiring location readings can be adjusted according to distance between the device and a geofence of interest. For example, a GPS data acquisition rate can increase as the device approaches a geofence and decrease as the device moves away from the geofence.

Offender monitor with managed rate of location reading

A portable device, for example an offender monitor, can utilize a GPS receiver or other location detector to provide locational information for the device. The portable device can communicate over a cellular network, for example using a radio to transmit location readings over the network. The location detector and the radio can draw power from an onboard battery. The portable device can operate in at least two modes. When charge of the battery drops below a threshold, the device can switch from the first mode of operation to the second mode to conserve power and avoid fully depleting the battery.

Method and system for energy management of an offender monitor

People at different levels of an organization can carry personal emergency response system (PERS) devices. A remote server can monitor the personal emergency response system devices, for example tracking device locations and monitoring for emergency alerts. The organization can include managers who are assigned level-specific responsibility. For example, a first manager may be responsible for a first portion of the organization, and a second manager may be responsible for a second portion of the organization. The managers may log into a website to monitor the people in their respective portions of the organization. The website can provide a manager with information that is specific to that manager's portion of the organization, as provided by the personal emergency response system devices.

Method and system for hierarchical management of personal emergency response system (PERS) devices

A portable device, for example an offender monitor, can incorporate a location detector and an orientation detector. The orientation detector, for example an accelerometer, can provide orientation information. The location detector, for example a GPS receiver, can acquire location readings that the device transmits over a cellular network. The portable device can control the location detector based on the orientation information. For example, the device can acquire more location readings when the orientation information indicates that a person wearing the portable device is reclined than when the person is upright.

Offender monitor with orientation-based monitoring

Monitoring systems and methods may monitor locations and/or speeds of a wireless tracking device. An administrative hub comprising a location database including speed limit data for at least selected road segments may be configured to monitor locations of the wireless tracking device based on data reported by the wireless tracking device. The administrative hub may also be configured to compare a speed of the wireless tracking device based on the data reported by the wireless tracking device to the speed limit data for a road segment associated with the location of the wireless tracking device.

System and method for monitoring a wireless tracking device

A method of establishing a persistent emergency call and positional indication of the call is provided. Upon a call center receiving a call by a user equipment (UE) device, a request for a the UE device to perform a function, such as provide its current location, is issued and a pseudo hold mode initiated by temporarily severing the voice call. The user of the UE device is aware of the pseudo hold mode but unaware of the call termination. While on the pseudo hold mode, the current location is determined, the call is subsequently reestablished and the pseudo hold mode terminated.

Pseudo hold mode to simulate continuous connectivity to a mobile device

A method of establishing a persistent emergency call and positional indication of the call is provided. Upon a call center receiving a call by a user equipment (UE) device initiated by activation of a smart button, the call center issues a request for a current location. If the call is inadvertently terminated by the user prior to the emergency being cleared, the UE device, attempts to reestablish the call automatically and continually. Prior to initiating the call, if the UE device is in airplane mode or standby mode, these modes are automatically switched off and location services are enabled.

Mobile device smart button that adapts to device status

An example method includes connecting to a call center by a user equipment (UE) device via a voice call and receiving a request for a current location. The device is determined to be in an outdoor environment if the signal strength of satellite signals used by a global positioning system (GPS) is greater than a threshold. The device is determined to be in an indoor environment if a beacon signal strength is greater than a further threshold. If the device is in an outdoor environment, the current location is determined using a standalone or assisted GPS method. If the device is in an indoor environment, the current location is the known location of the beacon or an assisted GPS method. If neither the signal strength of the satellite signals nor the signal strength of the beacon exceeds its respective threshold, the current location is determined as a last stored location.

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Alpharetta, GA, United States of America

Yoganand Rajala