System and method for monitoring individuals using a beacon and intelligent remote tracking device

Abstract

A system for monitoring an individual is described where the system includes a fixed beacon at a known location, the fixed beacon periodically emitting a signal indicating the identity of the beacon, a remote tracking device securely affixed to the individual, the remote tracking device including a short range transceiver, a long range transceiver, and a rule set establishing operating parameters for the remote tracking device, wherein the short range transceiver is operable to receive the signal from the beacon and to use the signal to determine compliance with one or more rules in the rule set, and a monitoring center monitoring the status of the remote tracking device using data sent by the remote tracking device using the long range transceiver. The beacon includes a transmitter for transmitting a short range signal, a movement detector operable to indicate when the beacon has been moved, an internal power supply for the beacon, and a processor connected to the transmitter and movement detector, the processor operable to maintain a log of the movement of the beacon and to cause the transmitter to periodically transmit the signal, wherein the signal includes a identification number for the beacon, a status for the internal power supply; and information related to the movement log.