AU2014353868A1 - Location reporting device, tracking system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A location ticking device kepi by a parent is used with a location reporting device worn by the child in which both the tracking device and the location reporting device both have a short range radio signal transceiver and a GPS location receiver -and the reporting device also has a cellular data transmitter and a controller. The locator has a cellular data transceiver and a display screen. If the locator and the reporter become separated by more than a prescribed distance, the reporting device GPS receiver sends data from the receiver through the cellular transmitter to an internet accessible receiver, which provides a visual display on the parents locator screen indicating the relative positions of parent and child.

Description

HTLE OF IN VFH11CM

Location Reporting..Device, lacking System and Method TBGONrCAi*-HELD; [000.1 j 'The- pvsent invention relates to location reporting devices, as well as systems and methods lor locating and tracking snob devices.

[0002] The invention is particularly adapted for use by a parent or guardian to keep track of a chiUlj although Many other applications are also possible.

[0003] It will he eonyenient to hereinafter describe the invention In relation to a parent and child scenario, hoover it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that application only.

lACK<3®tfND

[0004] II Is to he appreciated that any discussion of documents, acts or knowledge &amp; included in this specification merely to explain the context of the present invention. Further, the discussion throughout tins speefikation comes about due to the reaK&amp;atioo of the inventor and/or the identi&amp;aiion of certain related art pmbiemis by the inventon As such, any discussion of materialsoch as documents, acts or knowledge: in this specif leaf ion is included to explain the context of the invention in terms of the. inventor’s knowledge and: experience and, accordingly f any such discussion should not fee taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before; the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

[0005] Locating devices that employ radio signals have been in use in various fields incksding radio beacon systems for ah craft: landing and more recently with satellite based location using: OPS or equivalent systems. These have typically been used -in situations witere power is readily available. An exanqjte of th is is ear and mobile asset tracking GPS systems. Portable GFS systems and those employed with mobile devices drain batteries very quickly and so are often used in con] unction with a charging facility. An example: of this is the Tom Tom G PS system for earn which expects to he plugged into the accessory circuit to maintain charge when operating. Although battery operated GPS tracking devices are known, they are usually of low accuracy, long interval between nsadings or they store their readings in a dam log and upload them only when back at a base station, lire combination of small physical size, long battery life, accurate location, timeliness of access to location information, intentional connection to a smartphone and ease of use has pqven unachievable in prior devices making them unsnceessfnl commercially.

[0006] US 7,228,121 describes a message system in which police send a missing chid message to a large number of mobile phone subserihers. If the subscriber replies his phone generates a reply message to the police message. Bis reply can inclode location data and maybe visual data but once fully composed it is automatically returned to the police, This is an observesTpoliee interaction whereas tile parent wants a device which locates thechiid and provides location data to the parent,.

[0007] In view of the foregoing, it is desired to address or ameliorate one or more disadvantages or I mutations associated with the prior art, or to at least provide a .useful alternative.

SIjMMAEY OF INVENTION

Pft&amp;S] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a loeation mporting device including a receiver for receiving short range radio signal communications, a satellite location receiver, a cellular communications transmitter and a controller operative to monitor signals received by the short range receiver and responsive to a condition of said sigitals te activate the satellite loeation receiver and transmit, using the cellular transmitter, location information derived from the satellite location receiver.

[0009] The receives' for receiving short range radio signal eosninunleailens may he in the form of a Bluetooth transceiver* The satellite location receiver may comprise a GTS receiver. The controller may be operative to aetivaie the GM receiver and cellular transmitter in response to a command signal received from a paired Bluetooth transceiver, or in response to a loss of Bluetooth siptal link with the paired Bluetooth transceiver.

[0010] In accordance with the present invention there is also provided a location reporting device lor use with a portable computing device having .s^th'tjr^oeivcr, the ioeation reporting device including a receiver for receiving short range radio signal comnmnieatfons horn the poftafeie computing device, a sate!lie fpcatfon receiver,, a cellular communications transmitter and a controller operative to monitor signals received by the short range receiver and responsive to a condition nfsaid signals to aetivate the satellite location receiver and transmit, using the cellular transnutterjoeation infonuaiionderived from the satellite location reeeiver, [0011] 'Fire short range radio communications may comprise Bluetooth or Bluetooth Smart eonteunicatlons* The satellite: communications receiver may be in the form of a GPS receiver* The cellular communi c aliens traosm i iter may be In the form of a transceiver circuit for cohuhunieating via cornmercial eelhilar teleeonummications networks:, such as by 2G, 3G, 4G, GSM or other communications protocols.

[00121 The cellular transmitter may he operative to communicate said location information by digital data transfer to an internet server, Tire portable computing: deviceeney be an interact-* enabled device, such as a smartphone, tablet or t he l ike, capable of communicating with said internet server to retrieve said' location information therefrom. The portable computing device may also be equipped with a GPS location receiver, and be adapted by way of app software to provide: indications : of the relative: locations: of the portable eompntmg:: device cod location reporting device, [0013] In one form of the i n ventfon, the location reporti ng device and portable computl ng deviee are paired by establishment of a Bluetooth short range radio communications link if the controller senses a loss of Bluetooth eonmiunie?nions link with lh© paired computing Kosice, Indicating a separation distance between ite devices that is greater than the Bhtetooth communications mnge, the control lei' functions to activate the satellite location receiver, in the toon of a GPS receiver, and communicate data indtcaiitig itsloeaiion via cellular communications.

[0014] Itiaeebrdanc© with the present invention there is also provided a method for tracking and/or locating a portable reporting device using a portable computing device, wherein the portable reporting device includes a short range radio signal transceiver, a GPS locatlm reeesvsr, a cellular data transmitter mrei a controller, and wherein the portable computing device includes a short muge radio signal transceiver, a GPS location receiver, a cellular data transceiver and a display -screen*: the method including establishing a short range radio signal link between the computing device and reporting device, determining, by a condition of the short range radio signal link, if the reporting device and computing device become separated from one another by greater than a prescribed amonht,: in response to the separation determination, activating the reporting device GPS location receiver and eelhdar transmitter, and periodically uploading data indicating the reporting device location derived from tire GPS receiver by way of the ccllniar transmitter to an internet accessible server, downloading the data indicating the reporting device location to the portahle computing device and providing a visual indication on the portable enmpdiug device display screen of the relative locations of the portahle computing device and reporting device. fOfrl 5] In accordance with a frirther aspect of the invention there is provided a location tracking device far use with &amp; location reporting device, including a short range radio signal transcei ver lor short rang© eoninmnications vdth the location reporting device, a celiniar eomniunications transceiver, a satellite location receiver, a display screen ami a controller Operative to monitor short range communications with the location reporting device, calculate an estimated proximity distance therefrmn and display lire estimated pit Che display semen, |Cki Ii] Further scope of applieabiSity of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent irdm tire detailed, desefiption given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, white indicating preferred embodiments of the Invention., are given fey way of illustration only, since various changes and ojadifeations within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detai led description.

Advantageous Meets of Invention [0017] !, 'The device earned in the child-s clothing is in a waterproof shed 90 x 50 x 8mm which is easily traii^rrahle dom ^aanent to gai ftient» [0018J 2. The device refemed to above can he inductivety cirarged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS P 0} 9] Further disclosure, objects» advantages and aspects of preferred and other eatboditnests of the presetd application may be hotter understood fey those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunetion with the accompanying drawings, which are given fey way of illustration only* and ihns are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which: [0020] Figure I is a functional block diagratn of a location reporting device constructed in aecordanee with an embodiment of the invention.

[002:1] Figures: 2 and 3 are diagrammatic illustrations of a location reporting device with a paired smartphone in aceerdauee with an eoibodimeni Of the invention.

[0022] Figure 4 is a diairammatic: illusiratlon of a systetn for operation of the Ideation reporting device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Figure 5 is a state: diagram illustrating ftinctional states involved in operation location reporting device* [0024] Figures 6 A*· 61s d* 613, bB and 6F arc flowchart diagrams illustrating fonctionality of an app operating oo a smartphone for use with a location reporting device.

[0025] Figures 7A* ΊΒ, 7C ate seteensbpts from a antaftplranc BESCMIFfKSN OF EMBODIMENTS

[00¾¾ Embodiments of the invention are described herein below including a location reporting device as well as systems and methods lor its operation. A particular implementation of the location reportingdcvice Is described which, in the interests of simplicity, is refetred to herein as a tag.

[0027] Although other applications for the described technology are possible, the primary focus for the purposes of the following description is a device and system for monitoring the proximity of a child to their parent or guardian, which permits the pieerd or gpfodiajt^fo locate the child if they become separated, Thus, foe general pnrpose of the tag and the related systems and methods is to keep track of and/or enable the location of a person or i tem carrying the tag. Jit the application described* for example, the tag is adapted to be carried. % a child so that a parent or guardian is able to track orlocate the tagyearrying child in tile .event' they become separated; fooin one another. The tag may be used, for example,in eonjunefifor with a smartphone or Ike device carried by the parent or guardian, [0028] The general operation; of:the tag relies on several wireless communications :systems.

The manner in which the tag operates is designed to provide the required, communications functionality whilst minimizing: electrical power tec|uireffienis. This enables tlte physical size of the tag. jneluding- its battery, to be small so that it may be more easily carried by a chi ld, [0121] jh particular, the tag incorporates both a 01/1 receiver and a ceiinlar data eommunleatlons circuit, each of which has relatively high electrical power consumption when operational, To minimize electrical; power consumption, therefore, the tag acts: to only activate these power-hungry circuits when necessary in pmsefibed circumstances, The prescribed eimumsUmees by use of miofher witless eGifrmumcations system that draws substantially less batten power, [0030] In order to forther describe the tag and its operation, reference is made to Figure I of the accompanying drawinp which is a block diagram of the main frmctienai eompooenls of a tag IS that operates as aioeatl^:h^ffittg:^t^m,oPcordahce'^th an embodiment of the present invention, lire tag 10 includes three emnmonicatkms circuits: a (IPS receiver circuit SO, a cellular data transceiver eirsatit 50, and a Bluetooth transceiver eircuit 40. Operation of the comnmnleatloos circuits is coordinated and eonirolled by a nncropfoeessor control circuit 20, Electrical power for the circuits is provided by power supply circuitry 30.

[0001J The Bluetooth circuit 40 in this case utilises ah integrated circuit that provides Bluetooth Smart conmtuoieations capability, also known as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLi|, For brevity BLE will be used from hem on to describe Bluetooth commumcations. The particular device employed is an nRF51822 Bluetooth Smart and 2.4G Hz multiprotocol system*on-ehip5 available from Nordic Semieonducfor, T his imegrated circuit device Includes a power optimized ARM processor that serves to frsfrefion as the microprocessor control circuit 20. The Bluetooth transceiver circuit is coupled to an antenna 44 for receiving and transmitting radio signals. The antenna 44 may be an ACA-1 Of ceramic chip antenna available from Abraeon Corporation, for example. 10032] Similarly, both the 6PS and cellular eommnnieations functions are provided by a single integrated circuit, in this ease a U020-0 available from Quectel. Phis integrated circuit incorporates both a OPS recei ver 62 and a 30/CjSM modem 52, The OPS receiver is coupled to an antenna 66 (eg, W3011A GPS ceramic chip antenna available from Pulse Electronics) by way of an amplifier circuit 64, such as aMaa265fr GPS/GMSS low noise ampli&amp;r available from Maxim integrated. The cellular modem 52 may utilise, for example, an A10393 Rubra penta-band SMD antenna 58, available from Anienova Ltd. Additionally, the cellular modern 52 is coupled to a SIM card 54 that provides network subscriber identification in known· fashion. For the purposes of interconnection between: the cellular modem 52 and the control circuit 20, a level shifter circuit 56 is employed,, such as a TXBQ1M S-frit bi-directional Voltage level translator available from TeKas Instruments, [0033] The power supply circuitry 30 includes a lithium-polymer battery 34: to provide electrical power for tine tag, A battery capacity of 500--7OO.mABr should he .sufficient to accommodate 12 hoars of device operation, To enable the tag to be manufactured as a fully sealed unit for robust and durable operation,, a wireless battery charging system. is employed, based on a Texas 'instruments BQ51050B ($ (WPG) compliant highly integrated secondary-side direct llthimn Jan charger eiretaf 12,: The wireless charging system also has a <$ receiver coil 36. When the lag is placed proxitnate to a cornpatible power transmission pad, the receiver eoil provides electrical power to charge the battery via resonant inductive coupling. Hie power supply circuit as shown also includes a voltage regulator 38 to ensure stable electrical supply to the tag cirenits, [GQ34] The tag as described above Is typically used in conjunction with a mobile device such as a smartphone, The normal mode of use employs die low power consnntptioii BIB transeeiver in the lag to pair with a BLB transceiver in tire smartphone, to act as a Form of electronic leash. The smartphone uses a software a:pp to monitor the Bluetooth link with the tag, and the tag control eireoit similarly monitors the Bluetooth link with the paired smartphone,: in general, whilst the Bluetooth communications link between the smartphone and tag Is available, the OPS and eeihilar communications circuits are turned off. Since the OLE system is designed to use: minimal power,: the tag can operate tor an extended period of time on a single battery charge, [0035] The 131,1 is a relatively short range radio communications system, haVmg a range of up to around 100 metres depending on its eonfigatation and the particular circumstances and: terrain in. which it operates, If the tag; and. smartphone become separated by a distance that exceeds the BLE range, the comninmeations IMr is lost. When the tag processor determines that the BLi link has been lost, it acts to turn on theTiFS receiver and eeilnlar comittanications circitits. The tag processor then obtains GPS Ideation data from the GPS receiver and transmits the Ideation inlbrmation by way of the eellaiar transcei ver to a secure internet server. The GPS location is determined and transmitted periodically (eg, every 30 seconds) until the BPS link isreestablished. P03f>) The electronic leash functionality of the tag is illustrated diagtmnmat ieally in Figures 2 ami 3. In Figure 2 the smartphone 80 has a BLE nnfl«ntioi^0a8.;!i^!Rn«pi!esented by dashed circle 85. Whilst the tag 10 remains within that range it is able to maintain a BLE conmiuni cations link 49 with the paired smartphone. When operating in this mode, the GPS and epIIpl^^^pMniestiona circuits of the tag can remain from the mrartphdne, as detailed further below), [093?] If the tag 10 strays outside of the range 85, as illustrated in Figure 3, then die BLE cormhunicaiions link between the phone 80 and tag 10 is lost, in tlhscireiumtance the tag operates to activate the GPS and cellular communications circuits, The tag is then able to determine its location using received GPS signals 0¾ and transnut that location inidrtnatloo to a secure server using cellular communications 59» As described further below, the smartphone upp is able to retrieve the location information relating to the tag; 1Θ inm the secure server, also using cellular communications 89, 100381 The system ioeladmg the tag 10 iultaactive location reporting mode is illustrated diagrammaliealiy in Figure 4. In this ease the GPS and cellular emnmimicaikms eiieults of the tag have been activated. The tag 10 receives GPS signals S9 from multiple satellites, which signals are decoded by the GPS receiver to determine Information about the location of the tag. The location information is transmitted using digital cellular communications 59 to a telecommunications cell transceiver 90, which transfers the data via internet communications 92 to the secure server 95, Meanwhile the smartphone 80 is also able to use cellular communications 89 to access the reported location of the tag ID.

[0039) Operation of the tag is controlled by computer program code stored in on-hoard memory ihr execution by the microprocessor control unit 20. A state diagram ISO indieating how the tag is controlled to function between various operating stales, including those described above, is Shown in Figure 5, Initially the tag, as shipped, is unallocated (state 102). In place the tag In a condition fur use, it is paired with a smartphone using a registration procedure of the smartphone app. This pairs the tag with the smartphone app by storing the identity of the tag in the phone and the identity of tie phone in the tag. For the purposes of the Bluetooth link, the MAC address of the Bluetooth interface may be used fop the phone and tag to Meteity one another. I'GOdf] Each tag is also provided with a unique ID code tit the time o f rn anuteci ore, m\$ the tag ID is associated with an account established erf the secure: server. Each account has a unlcjue klentiieatlon serial nuniber also, /and mom than one tag may be associated with a. single account. When a tag is added to an account, the teg ID is stored in the account record on the server, and the account number is stored in the tag. ©nee a tag Is allocated to an account. It stays with that account. Thus, the·system links two separate ID codes and uses them as a pair, The tag has its ID and also holds the ID of the account it belongs to. Only a mobile device (eg. smartphone) that knows the account number can pair with die corresponding teg(s). State 104 represents the teg once it has been: paired with a smartphone device, f 0041] lit state 106 the tag is passive with no pair, either through being unpaired by way Of the snterfghone app, or through loss of Bluetooth signal. In this ease the tag Is inactive and not in use. The si nartphone app, eonnnunicating with the teg via Bluetooth, can revive the tag to the paired state 104, State 108 whilst ite.;^*^is-bei»ii#eharge4 In this ease it

Is also not necessary for the teg to be paired with the smartphone.

[0042] From the paired state 104 tite smartphone app can set the tag into an active state 110, In this state the tag control circuit actively monitors the Bluetooth link with its paired smartphone.

If a loss of Bluetooth signal is detected the tag enters stem 114 in which the GPS and cellular communications clreults are active and utilised to report location infpymation to the server. The server, for its part, stores the location information received in the corresponding account, [0043] The system also permits the smartphone app to activate the tag’s location reporting functions whilst the Bluetooth link is still operational In this case the tag eiders operating state 112.

[0044] The: main purpose of the tag is to enable a user with the sntertphone app to keep track of or locate: the tag, of more particularly the person or object carrying the tag. On the phone side, for tracking or locating lire teg the app has thive-operational screens, shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 7€, [004S'j Figure 7A illustrates tlte ‘‘sonar screen". The sonar screen ihay he used in the app whilst the smartphone and. tag are paired and remain in communication by way' of the Bluetooth link. The sonar Screen provides 4« animated indication that the tag is still within Bluetooth range, along with an esti mate of the proximity distance of the tag to the phone, in this ease the proximity distance is estimated by the app using Bluetooth signal intensity. The speefie technique used measures the path loss which uses the transmitted power levels compared to the received power levels and so a calculation of the likely distance can he done more accurately than just using received signal strength on its own. A maximum separation distance can be set in the app, wherein if the estimated distance to the fag exceeds the set maximum an alert is raised to inform die user. This may he effective to prevent further separation because, lor example, the parent or guardian will respond to the alert while the child (and fat) is still nearby. In a crowded situation, for example, where the child (and tag) is nearby but not readily sighted, the phone app can be used to push a message to the tag over Bluetooth to tell the tag to go fully active and feeghi reporting location information (eg* enter state 112 in Figure 5), [0046] When the tag is folly active and reporting location information, either because of Bluetooth signal loss or direct instruction Irom the sinartphone, the tag periodically pushes its identity and current location to the secure Wefe server. The smartphone can then request this information for that tag. For security purposes a user name and password authentication may be required, as well as the account ID stored in the app. Flaying obtained the latest location information for the tag from the <mrrespondmgserver account, tire phone app provides two further operational screens for tracking and locating the tag.

[0047] Figure 7B illustrates the ‘‘compass semen” which displays a direction arrow and proximity distance to the tag in metres of separation. In mder to provide this distday the phone app utilises the teg location mfopiiation obtained from tire server (or communicated to the phone from the tag via BLE if in range} together with the location of the phone itself Depending on the particular phone, its location may be determined by infouilt GPS or cell ipwer triangulation or other means as may be available, ttsing great circle distahee maihematies, the two location points (tag: and: phono) can be used to calculate the distance separating them and the direction from one point to anot her, Then, using an infouilf directional sensor (eg, compass function) from the smartphone allows the compass setnen to display the arrow correctly pointinginthe direction of the tag front the phone., and reposition the arrow as tire phone and/or tag; are moved, [004S] Figure 7C illustrates the “map screen’* which can utilise a Google map, for example, to show tire locations of both the phone and tag. This may he particpMy useiu! tor tracking movement of the tag over time, or navigating terrain between the phone atsd tag;, Wiien the tag is actively reporting location information the phone app can he Pitched between the compass screen and map screen at the user’s discretion, [004¾ Onee the tag is hack within Bluetooth range of the photic, it is programmed to stay folly active until the phone app directs it to torn off the GPS and cellular communication circuits and return to its ready active mode (eg. state 110), A directive from the app to change the tag stale from 112 to state 110 (Figure 5) is at the discretion of the user, which might typically hedone when the tag (child or object) is actually within sighlef within reach, not just within Bluetooth range, [0050] Figures dA-F ate flowchart diagrams illustrating fiinefioiiaHty of the smartphone app for use whir the tag as outlined above. Figure §A. outlines the steps involved in establishing an Operative; associatidn between; the smartphone, tag and user account. For this procedure to: run the user must have launched the app and tried to activate a tag. Closing the app will tennloai© the process:, [0051 ] The procedure 200 shown in Figure 6A Is initiated at step 202. Operation 204 involves pairing the smartphone with a particular tag, which is conducted as described hereinabove. If fire pairing operation 206 is successful then the tag 1$ assigned to a «hi Id (operation IIS), lor example being linked to a user account», it can display a list of the children on that account so that one can be assigned, if either of the pairing or assignment opesutions are mrsnceessinl for soine reason, for example the tag is already paired to {mother device or the user supplied account Information is wrong, then the app displays a corresponding error message 218,222 and the process-toaiMtes 220, Once an assignment is 'suceess&amp;Uy completed 210 then the app provides the user with an opportunity to set an activation range at: pperatios) 2T2, if the user elects to inpet an activation range 214, the app peArnis a set range rmitme 230 (illustrated in Figure 6B), The procedure 200 is completed at step 216 wherek the tag is assigned and ready tor use with the smarhdione app as described further hereinhelow.

[0052J The set range routine 230 shown in Figure 6B is initiated by the app at step 232. Operation 234 allows tlie user to input a deshed activation range in metres, which is stored by the app fimuse whilst the smartphone and teg are in Bluetooth communication. Once the range has been set the app returns to its previous operational mode or state 236, (0053] Figure PC illustrates the app procedure 240 that is carried out when the tag is determined to he outside of the range set by the user. The app uses Bluetooth signal strength, for example, td deiennine when tire tag strays outsideof tire set range 242, whereupoir the app sounds an alarm to nobly the user 244, Following the alarm notification the user is presented with a number of selectable options as to how to proceed 250, The user selectable options include Locate, Snooze, Silence and Adjust, Selection of the Snooze option causes the app to wait for one minute 254 before sounding file alarm again. Selection of the Adjust' option provides the user with the opportunity to adjust the activation range 252, as previously described. Selection of the Silence option silences the alarm and communicates with the tag to place the tag hi lts active stale, If the Locate option is selected 258, the app proceeds to execute a Bluetooth Locate totet ion, the operations of 'which: are shown in Figure 6E and described below, [0054] Figure: 6D illustrates the app procedure 260 that is earned out when; there is a less of Bluetooth communications between tire: sinartphone and the tag. Upon deiermlnafioh of a Bluetooth signal loss 262, the app sounds an alarm te notify the user 264, Following the alarm notification the: user is presented with a. number of selectable options as to how to proceed 266, The user selectable options include Locate,: Snooze and Silence. Selection of the Snooze option causes the app to wait for one minute 208 before sounding the alarm again. Selection of the Silence option; silences the alarm land causes the process to stop 270, If the Locate option, is selected .272,: the app proceeds to execute a OPS Locate "function, the operations of which are shown in Figure 6F and described below, [00$S] Sec Bluetooth Locate pfoeedure 280 la illustrated in Figure 6E, initiated at step 212»

The Bluetooth Locate function utilises: Bluetooth signal strength, for example, to calculate the approximate separation between the Bmartphane and tag 214 as;deseribed above, The calculated distance is displayed to the user 286 on the proximity “sonar sentetf ’ (fogute 7A). While in this mode the app Is reeepiive to user input Bags 288 such as to awl teh -display mode screens* send the tag to GPS modei or an indication that the child lias been located (child found}. If no input flags are detected the app periodically re-ealcidates the poximity of the tag to the smartphone 284 and updates the display 286» I f the child found Bag is received the tag is placed in active mode 290. if the user input directs the app to initiate GPS mode 292, the app continues to update the pmpmiiy screen until the GPS locate function is stMJeessfulp established 294. Operations involved in the GPS Locate procedure are shown in Ingure 6F and described below.

[0056] The GPS Locate procedure 300 is illustrated in Figure 6F} initiated at step 302. The tnode of the app is performed once the tag has been set to fully active, wherein the tag periodically reports its GPS location via cellular communications to the server as previously described. The app contacts the server to obtain the GPS location data 304 reported by the tag. Utilising the snteftphours own GPS location, the app calculates the distance to the latest reported location of the tag 306. If the .calculated distance is less than a predetermined amount (eg. 210 metres) the app may use the compass screen (Kgure 7S) to display fire fag distance and direction to the usef 308, If the calculated distance to the tag is greater than the predetermined amount the app may nse tlm map screen (Figure 7G) display the tag location to the user relati ve to the smartphone location 210. The app waits a short period (eg, five seconds as indicated at 312) before obtaining updated tag location data trom the server 314. White in this mode the user is able to select which display view to use 316, which does not i nterrupt the GPS location operation. Once the tag gets within Bluetooth eommunication range the app may switch to the Bluetooth Locate mode 318 as above described, f 0057} litere af e several features t hat: the system described here! n util Ises to minimise the time to find a lost or separated, chi Id (tag). These Include; pi)5% (a) The phone app warns the xiser when sepaminn distanee maehes a predetermined threshold, so that action can be taken immediately.

[0059} (h) The OPS and: location reporting:goes active as soon as the Bluetooth. link Is lest, |006(i[ (c) OPS almanac data is downloaded to the tag on a regular basl s to m immiae the OPS start up time, [0061:]: The third point is plated ip Assisted OPS, and some understanding is required in order to appreciate the:Slgitffieanee ofthis liatore. The .siSteihtea'ethlt.sipala: fhat prised to Calculate the receiver position, However the satellites are not in perfect orbits, so they drift and as a result, their actual orbits vary from the perfect or ideal orbit. Tire actual orbits arc kept track of and stored in an almahac. This almanac is used to do tite calculations to determine location based: on where the satellites really· ape at the time, .[0062] OPS units typically receive a copy of the aimanae via one oftwo methods. The data is embedded inihe signals coming from the satellites themselves and downloaded in chunks over a period of about 20 minutes. Using this method, in the best ease, tuminga OPS unit on that has beep off for a while will lead to it finally outputting Its position after at least 20 minutes has gone by.

[00631 Alternatively the almanac can be read from an Internet service and loaded into the GPS to save time. This is the method employed in the tag according ip en ibodimen ts of the present invention,. because no-one wants to ^t^ttaHy'^t^tO'M^tt^.before the tag starts to work, To save; even «tore tune, the aimanae for the tag is either downloaded o vernight while the unit is charging or from the phone via: the phone app. Overnight has the advantage that the tag connects with the web service and it is known to be still active.

[0064] Physically, it is advantageous: for the tag to be small so that it can he easily carried by a. young child, tor example, Therefore the tag of the described embodiment Iras been designed with an «im ofmmimitetg'te sfoe of the device ivhlistin^lhtglnl^l. the desired operating chameiefjstics and sittgletoharge operating time. One of the aspects of the design that works toward that goal is the selection of etepononts, such as integrated etenis that are able to perforin more than one of the tag's primary functions. A further feature of the invention is the teiltty which enables the child to signal to the patent that an eniergeney exists. The tag has a button which: when pressed sends a call to the parent contammg an atdomated message revealing an emergency which the parent receives when he/she picks up their mobile phone. 1'he ethergeney eonld be an injury, an asthma attack or an abduction, The parent can then open the app, determine the childs location on the maps and then decide whether to go to that location or call the police giving them location data, [OOiS] Another feature that enables production of a small device is in fact the manner in which the tag is programmed to operate. Minimizing power consumption of the tag during norma! use enables a smellier battery to be used tea given period of use, Considering that the battery Is one of the heaviest and bulkiest components of the tag, this means that minimizing power consumption enables production of a smaller overall device slze^ As mentioned above, the circuits that draw the most electrical power are the GPS receiver and cellular transceiver circuits. Accordingly, the tag: is programmed to only activate these circuits when required, such as when the tag detects it is outside: of Bluetooth link range of its paired mobile device.

[0060] While this invention has been described ip connection with specific embodiments thereof it will he understood that If is capable of tether modifleation(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following In general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied bo the essentia! features hereinbefore set teth, |0867] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of fhe essential Characteristics ©if the invention, ft should he understood that the above described embodiments are not:to ilmit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but mi her should he construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are 1© heconsidered in all mspects as illostMive only and not restrictive,: [0068] The following sections provide a guide torinteiprefing the present specification,

Jkmil: [0069] The term “podocT* means any Biaehinermnnn!ac ture and/or composition, of matter, Uolesiexpressly specified otherwise.

[0070] lire term “process” means any process, algorithm, method or the like,, uolesy expressly specified otherwise,.

[0071] Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise) inherently includes one or mm® steps, and theretore all references to a “step” or ‘‘steps” of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in the mere recitation of the term ‘process' or a like term. Accordingly, any reiemneein a claim to a ‘step5 or ‘steps5 of a process has snfficient antecedentbasis.

[0072] The term "invention” and the like mean "the one or more inyem«ms disclosed in this specification^ nnless expressly specified otherwise, [0073] The terms "an embodlmenf5, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “ibe embodiment”, "tire embodiments?5, "one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments· 5, "certain embodiments”, “one emlwdimenf ^ ‘‘another emhpdimenfi5' and the like mean "one or mote (hot not ail) embodiments of the disclosed expressly specified otherwise, [0074] The mint “variation55 of an invention means an embodiment of the invent! on, nnless expressly specified otherwise, [0075] A relhfenee to ‘‘another embodiment” in Ascribing an embodiment does not imply that dte mfeteneed emhodiment is motoally exclusive with another embodimem (eg. an embodiment described «mbodime»!), unless expressly specified otherwise, [0i)7b] The terms;Uineluding55, “comprising55 and varldlons tbemof mean “met nding but not limited to55, unless expressly spedikd otherwise. p077j dire terms W and“the55 mean “one or more'5, unless expressly speified otherwise. P078] The term “plumlity-uueaas “two or merer5, msless .expressly specified otljerwise. |0079] The term “herein5' means “in the present speciSealion, including anything which may he incorporated by mlemnee55, unless expressly specified otherwise. |0000] The phrase “at least one of5 when such phrase modifies a plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things}, means any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwi se. For example, the phrase “at least one of a widget, a ear and a wheel5· means either (1) a widget, (si): a car, fib) a wheel,.fly) a widget and a car, (y) a widget and a wheel, pi) a car and a wheel, or (vli) a widget, a ear and a wheel. The phrase “at least one: of55. When such phrase mo difies a plurality of things, do es hot mean “one of each of5 the plurality of things, |:0QIJ.] Numerical terms such as “one55, '“two55, etc, when used: as cardinal numbers to indicate quantity of something (eg, one widget, two widgets) mean the quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at least the quantity indicated by that numerical term. For example, the phrase “one widget’5 does not mean “at “one widget” does «οι; cover, eg, two widgets. pt)82] The phrase “based on55 does not mean “based only on55, unless; expmssiy specified otherwise. In oilier words, the phrase “based onSi describes both “based only urf and “based at least on5\ The phrase “based at least oft” is equivalent to the phrase “based at least hipari on55.

[01)83] 'The terra “represent” and )¾ taws are not exclusive, unless expressly specified: otherwise, For example» the term wiepresefite” do not mean “represents only”, unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “the data represents a credit card numbed* describes both “the data represents only a credit card numbed* and “the data represents a credit: card number and the data also mpmsepts something else”:, [0084] The term“ whereby” is used herein only to precede a elause or other set cl words that express only the intended result, objective or consequence of something that is previously and explicitly recited, ITus, when the term “whereby” is used to a plaint» the clause or ether words that the terra “whereby** modifies do not: establish specific futiher l|pitations of the claim or Otherwise restric ts tlie tnesnihgor scope of the claim, [0085] The terra “eg,** and like terms mean “trr example*» and thus does not limit the term or phrase it explains. For example» in the sentence “the computer sends data (eg, jnsirnctlons, a data structure) o ver the internet**, the term “eg/* explains that ^mh'uctions” are an example of “da^that the computer may send oyer the .internet, and also explains that “a data structure” is an example of “data” drat the computer may send ever the Internet However, both “infractions” and “a data structure” are merely examples of i4dafa% and other things besides “instructions5* and “a. data structure” can be “datr*.

[00 Bd] The term “i,e,” and like terras mean “that is*5, and thus limits the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “the computer sends data (ie. rnstrimtions) over the internet’*», the tern “ie,” explains that “instructions5* are the “data*5 that the computer sends over the Internet.

[0Q87] Any given immerieal range shall include whole and fractions of numhers within the range. For example, the range “1 in 10*’ shall he interpreted to sjreerfically include whole nurabeis between 1 and 10 [eg, 2, 3,4,.,, 0) and tidhb’whole.iihmtes [eg, 1,1,1.2,,., l,i9). IMermining [0088} The form “determining” and grammatical variants Ιό determine a price, detwmining a. value, determine an object which meets a certain erite&amp;n) is used in an extremely broad sense, lire term ‘‘determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions andtherefore “deterniining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (eg, looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), aseetlainiog and the like. Also, ‘‘determining” can include receiving (eg, receiving inforroation), accessing (eg, accessing data in a memory) and the like, can .include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like, f0089] t he tenn ^determining'does hot imply certainty or absolute precision, and therefore ^determining” can include estimating, extrapolating, predicting,, guessing and the like, [0090] The term ‘‘determining” does not imply that mathematical processing must be performed, and does not imply that niimeriehl methods must boused, and does not imply that an algorithm or process is used:, [0091] The term “‘deteimlmng” does not imply that any particular device must he used. For example, a computer need not necessarily perform die determining.

Indication [0092] The term is used in an extremely broad sense. The term ‘fornication” may; among other things, encompass a sign, symptom, or token of something else, [0093] The term “Indication” may fee used to refer to any indicia and/Or other information Indicative of or associated with a subject, item, entity, and/or other ohjeet and/or idea.

[0094] As used herein, the phrases ‘‘information indicative of5 and ‘‘indicia” may be used to refer to any information that represents, deseribes, and/or is otherwise associated with a related enftiy, subject, or object.

[0095] Indicia of information rosy include, for example a code, a reference, a ink, a signal,an idc«tificr,..and/or any combination thereof and/bf any oilier mformative repmsentpion associated with the information, fOQ9d] In some embodiments* indicia of informaikm (or indieativ® of the infomratioo) may be or include the information itself and/or any portion or component of the information. In some embodiments, an indication may include a request, a solicitation, a broadcast, andforuny other form of informat ion gathering and/or dissemination.

Iforrns of Sen tences [0097] Where a limitation Of :a first claim would cover one of a feature as well as mom than one of a feature· (eg. a limitation such as “at ICastone widget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and··where in a second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses a defoute article “the” to refer to the limitation (eg. “the wldgef% this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature, and this does not imply that the second elaim covers only one of the feature (eg. “the widget” can cover both one widget and more than one widget).

[0098] When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to distlnipish that particular feature from another feature: that is described by the same term or by a similp term. For example, a widget” may fee so named merely to distinguish it horn, eg. a “second widget”. Thus, the mem usage of the ordinal numbers “fust” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indlcPe any other relationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other characteristics .of-either or both widgets. For example* the mere usage-of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” (I) does not indicate that either widget comes before or after any other m order or loeatioo; (2) does not indicate that either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does not mdieate that either widget mhks above or below any other, as in importance or quality. In additioivtte mere usage of ordinal numbers dees; not define a numerical limit te if® features identified with the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and ^second” before the term “widget” does not indicate that there must 'be no more than, two widgets, [0Qi?#j When a single device of ariieie is described herein, (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively he used in place that is described, Accordingiy, the iimetiomdity that is described as being possessed by a device may ahemaiivbiy be possessed by mom thanone deviee/articJe |whethm· or [01 Ob] Si mllarly, where mom than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they eoeperatef, a single devicebuticle may altebtatively he used in place of the more than one device or arti cle that is de scri bed. For example, a plurality of computer-based devices may be substituted with a sitlgie eomputewbased device. Accordingly, the various functionality thatis described ns being possessed by mom than one device or article may alternatively be possessed by a single deviee/ariiefe.

[010|] 1'he functionality and/or the: feat ures of a single device that is described may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are described but are not explicitly described as having such fenctibuatity/foamres, Thus, other embodiments need not include the described device itself, but rather can include the one or more other devices which would, in those other embodiments, hayojbel.fttn^ibualf'ty/feiitbt^.

Disclosed Examples and denninology Are'Not Limiting: [0102| Neither the Tide nor the Abstract in. this specification is Intended to be taken as limiting In any way as the; scope of the disclosed immntion(s). The tide and headings of sections provided hr die specification are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way. f0103] Numerous embodiments may be described in the present appl ie&amp;t ion, and are presented for i iItistrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended fo he,, limiting in any sense. The presently diselopd mventionfs} are widely a^ieah|o#;iiipwd^ embodiments, as is }£idil^'appsient.t^dir).ih&amp; disclosure. 'One di^dimi^.skiiin theiftlgdH recognize that the disclosed imxmtionfs) may he practiced with various modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, sohware, and electrical nrodificatians. Although parfieulm foatuios of the disclosed invenfomfs) may he described with reference to one or more particular enihodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to whiehthey are described unless expressly sped lied otherwise, [0104] the present disclosure is not a literai description of all emlmditnents of the invention^). Also, the present disclosure is not a listing of features of the Intention^) which must he presem in all emhedhnents.

[ΟΙ CIS] Devices that are described as in communication with each other need not he in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, suclideyioes need only transmit to each other as necessary or deslrahlc, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a machi ne in communication with another machine via the Internet may not transmit data to the other machine for long period of time (eg, weeks at a time], In addition, devices fhat are in eonmiuaication with each other may enmnuaileateidtreetly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

[010d] A description of art embodiment with several components or features does not imply that all or even any of such eomponerds/feamres are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are deserted to illustrate the xvi.de variety of possible emhodiments of the present invention^), Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no componenpfeature Is essential or required, [0107] Although process steps, algorithms or tire like may he descrihed in a particular sequential order, such processes may he configured to work in different orders. In other words:,: any sequence or Otder of steps that may he explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a tepfeemeat that the steps be perfomii&amp;fm that order. Hie steps of processes described herein may be performed Ipany order practical Farther, soffl® steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as: occurring nomsimithapeousty (eg. because one step is described after tte other step). Moreover, the Illustration of a process by its depletion i n a drewntg does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and inodirieationn thereto, does not imply t hat the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to the invention(s), and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred, [SIPS] Although a process may be de^ribed as including a plurality of steps, that does not imply that all or any of the step are preferred* essential or required. Various Other embodiments within lire scope of the described fovefofon(s) itic!nde other processes that omit some or all of the described steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step Is essential orrequired.

[ill ί}§] Although a process .may he described singly or without reference to other products or methods, in an embodiment the process may interact with other products or methods. For example, such interaction may Include linking one business model to armiher business model $ueh interaction may he provided to eniianee the flexibility or desimhiihy of fheproeess.

[0110] Although a preduct may be described as inchidmg a plurality of componen ts, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, that does not indicate: that any or ail of the plurality ore preferred, essential or required. Various: other embodiments: within the scope of the described inventkm(s) include other products that : omit some of all of the described plurality .

[0111] An enumerafed list of iteti&amp;tiiyhl# may of may not be rrarnbered} does not imply that any m all of the Items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Ukewise, an enumerated list of items (which may or may not be mtmbered) does: not imply that any or ail of the items are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example* the enumerated list hit computer, a laptop, a PDA” dbes hot imply that any or all of the three isms of that list are mut ually exclusi ve and does not i mply that any or all of the three isms of that list are comprehensive of any category . | ϋί 121 An enumerated list of items (which may or may not he numbered) does not imply that arty oral! of the items are equivalent to each other or readily substihited for each other.

[011.3 ] All embodiments are illustrative, and do not imply that the inyen ion or any emhodbnents were made or performed, as the case may be.

Computing [0114] It will he readily appamntto One of ordinary skill in the art that the various processes described herein may be implemented by, eg. appropriately programmed general purpose coorpuiers, special purpose compnters and emnputing devices. Typically a processor (eg. one or more miemproeessors, one or morc mlerocontrollers, one or mom digital signal processors^ will receive instructions (eg, .from.-amemory or like device) and executetlpse ipstmctioos, thereby perioming one or more processes dehned by those instructions.

[0115] A “processor” means: one or more roieroprocesser a, central processing units (CPUs), computing: devices, microcontrollers,: digital signal processors,-or like devices or any conihinaiion thereof 10116] Tips a description of a process is likewise a description of an apparatus lot performing,, the process . The apparatus that performs the process can include, eg, a processor and those input devices and output devices that are appropriate to perform the process. |P 117] Further, programs: that: Implement such methods (as well m other types of data) may be Moved arid transmitted using a variety of media (eg. computer readable media) in a number of manners, in some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may he used in place Of, or in combination with, some or all of the software instructions that can implement the processes of various embodiments. Thus, various combinations of hardware and soft ware may be used instead of software only, [Oil 8] The term “computer-readable medium” refers to airy medium, a plutality of the same, or a combination of different media, that part iclpate in providing data (eg, instructions, data structures) which may be read fey a compute!',. aprocessor or a tike device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited.%non-volatile niedi a, volatile media, and transtaissfotf media, Non-volatile media include, tor example, optical or magnetic disks and ottier pl$isteJtt memory. Volatile media include dynamic random tcceastn^ioty'lljit^) which typically constitutes Ihedaain memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, itmlnding tbe orives tbai comprise a system Ims coupled to the processor. Tmtmpission media tnay inclode or convey acoustic waves, light waves and eiectromagnetie: emissions, such as those generated during radio feqnmrey (RF) and Infeed (IK) data comnumicatfons. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a Kemble disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM» DVD,..any other opfieql medium* punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of boles, a RAM, a FROM, an BKE()M, a FLARH-BBPRGM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read, [fil l 9] Various forms of computer readable media may be urvoived in carrying data (eg. sequences of instructions) to· -a· 'processor. For example, data may be (i) delivered from RAM to a proecsSori (11) carried over a wireless transmission medium; (lit) formatted and/or transmitted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such as Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetootb™, and TCMF, TDMA, CDMA, and 30; and/or ffv) encrypted to ensure privacy or prevent fraud in any of a Variety of ways well known in the art.

[0120] Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of a: Computer-readable medium storing a. program for performing the process. The conipufer-readablc medium can stare (in any appropriate format) those pragratn elements which arc appropriate to perform the method, [0121 ] Just; as foe description of various steps in a process: does not indicate that all: the described steps ate rcqnimd,: Cmbudiments of an apparatus: include a computer/computing device operable to perform some (fentmot necessarily all) of the descri bed process,: PI22J Likewise, just as IN description of various steps in a process does not indicate that all. the described steps aret^tdred, embodiments of a cmnpiteru'eadabie medium storing a program Or data structure include a eumputerdeadable medium, storing a program that, when executed, can eause a processor to perform some (but not necessarily alt) Of the described process» [0123] Whom databases are described,: it will be understood by one of ordinary skill In the art tbat: (i) alternative database structures to those described may fee madllyeinplnyed, and (ii) other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed, .^nyiliastratmm-e^'cigseiajpta^ of auy sample databases presented: liefem aie illustrative amangemeots for stored representations of inibrmatintL Any number of other arrangements may be employed beside® those suggested by, eg. tables illustrated in clmwings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases represent exemplary infotmation only; one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the plumber and content of the entries can be different from those described herein, Further, despite nay depiction of the databases as tables, other fermats (Including relational databases. objecNbased models and/or distributed databases) eonM be used to store and rnanipulme the data types deseribed herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviours of a database can be used to implement various processes, sneh as the described herein. In addition, tire databases may. in a known planner, be stored locally or remotely Horn a device which accesses data In such a database. ft) 124] Various embodiments: can be emtigpred to work in a network environment including a Computer that is ineommunleation (eg. yiaaeonpmmieations network) with one or mors devices.. The: computer may communicate With the devices directly Or indirectly, via any wired or wireless: medium (eg. the Internet, ’LA!% WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, a telephone line, a cable line, a redid channel,.: an. optical eommunieations line, ecatunercial omiine service pro viders^ bulletm board systems, a satellite eommunieations li nk, a combination of any ot the above), Each of the devices may themselves comprise: computers or other computing devices that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any number and type of devices may be in eommanieatipn with the compute!'. f 0125 j it is to be understood that the word “composing” as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted In its Inclusive form, ie. use of the word “comprising” does not exclude the addition of other elements .

[0126·] it Is to be understood that various modifications of and/or additions to the invention can be made without departing .from the basic nature of the invention. These modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS L A; location repmllng device including a. receiver for receiving :$mrt range radio signal cemnmnieatinas,:U satellite location receiver; a cellular comumnleations transmitter;: mid a epnimlieroperative to Bmoitor signals received by tire shot! range receiver and responsive to a condition of said signals to acti vate the saieHlte location receiver and transmit, using the cellular irausmiiteiy foeation infonimtion derived irom the satellite location receiver,
2. 2, A iocaiion reporting device as claimed in Claim 1. ufoereln short range radio signal cotnnranicafion is in the form of a Bluetooth transceiver,
3. 3. A location mpoBing device as claimed In Claim 1 or 2* wherein ttife saieiiite location receiver comprises a OBi receiver.
4. 4. A location repotting device as claimed la my one of Clanns 1-3, wherein the Controller is operative to activate the OPS receiver and cellular transmitter in response to a command signal received horn; a paired Bluetooth transceiver or in response to a loss of Bluetooth signal link with the paired Bluetooth transceiver,
5. 5, A location reporting device lor use with a portable computing device having a short range radio transceiver, the location reporting device including a receiver for receiving short range radio signal eomntdnleations iforo the portable computing device, a satellite location receiver, a cellular communications transmitter; and a controller operative to monitor signals received % the short range receiver and; responsive to a condition of said signals to activate the sateilite iocation foeeiver and transmit, nsing the cellular transmitter, location mfoimation derived IVom the satellite location receiver. S. A iocation 5, wheremthe short range radio communications comprise Blitetooth or Bluetooth Smart communications. ?. A iocation reporting d evice as claimed in any one of Claims I -6, wherein the satellite eomnmnieaiionsmceiyer is in the f&amp;tm of a OPS receiver. S, A Incaiibn importing device as claimed. in any one of Claims l~%. wherein file eel lular eonummfeations transmitter is In the form of a transceiver circuit lor communicating via Commercial cellular teiccomimndcstlons network$ such as by 20, 30,40:, GSM or other communications protocols. % A location reporting device as claimed in Claim S, transmitter is operative to communicate the location information by digital transfer to an Internet server.
6. 10, A location reporting device as claimed in any one of Claims 5-¾ wherein the portahie computing device is an inteoiet-enabicci device capable of conmmnieatiog with said internet server to retrieve said location iohnmatlon tlmrefrotn, ! 1. A location reporting device as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the portable computing device also has a GPS location receiver and :is adapted by way of app soliwareto provide indications of the relati ve locations of the portable computing device and l ocation reporting device, 12. A, method for trackingand/or locating a portable reporting device using a portable Computing device, wherein the portable reporting device includes a .short range radio signal transceiver,, a GPS location receiver, a cellular data transmitter and a conifoller, and wlierein the portable computing device includes a short range radio signal transceiver, a GPS location receiver, a cellular data, transceiver and a display semen, the method including establishing a short range radio signal link between the computing device and importing device, determining,, by a condition of the short range radio signal link, if the reporting device and computing device become separated from one another by greater than a prescribed amount., In response to the separation detemiination, activating the reporting devIce GPi location receiver and cellular transmitter, and periodically uploadmi data indicating the reporting deviee location derived from the GPS receiver by way of the cellular transmliter to animernet accessible server, downloading the data indfoating tire reporting device ideation to the portable compding device and providing a visual indication on the ifortable computing device display semen oftte. ^Mive,'i0^6oif^;of tbo portable computing device and reporting device.
7. 13. A location tracking device for use with a location ,reporting device, inchidlng a short range radio signal transceiver: for short range communications with the location reporting device, atransceiver, a satellite location receiver, a display screen and a controller opmtive to monlfor short range communications with the location reporting device, calculate an: estimaied proxitnitl' distance therefrom and display the estimated proximity distance on the display semen, 14. A. location tracking device .P claimed In Claim. 13, wherein the controller calculates the: estimated proximity distance: using: communications signal intensity.
8. 15. A locating tracking device a&amp; claimed in Claim 13 or 14, wherein the short range radio signal tmnseeivet is Bluetooth Low Energy. l b, A locating tracking device as claimed in any one of Claims 13-15, wherein the controller is operative to display the estimated proximity distance when it exceeds a predetermined range.
9. 17. A locating tracking device as claimed in any one of Claims 13-16, wherein the predetermined range is user selectable. IS. A. locating tracking device as claimed in any one of Claims 13-17, wherein the controller is operative to download location data relating to the location reperting device Jfom an internet server if short range eomrmmieatidns with tire location porting device Is losi/intemipted.
10. 19, A locating tmefeing device aselaiined inany one of Claims 13-18, v^erein tire location data is GPS location data tiploaied by the location reporting device.
11. 20, A locating tracking device as claimed in any one of Claims: 13-19* wherein the controller is operative to calculate an .estimated separation distance between the location tracking device and location reporting device utilising the downloaded location data and data received from the satellite location receiver, and display tire estimated separation distance on the display semen,
12. 21, A locating tracking device as claimed in any one of Claims 13-20, wherein the location tracking device includes a directional sensor, and wherein the controller is operative to calculate a direction to the location reporting device and display it on the screen.