GB2620942A

GB2620942A - Tracking devices and methods for tracking

Info

Publication number: GB2620942A
Application number: GB2210910.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Emmanuel Milton Storkey Matthew; John Nowell Andrew; Andrew Philip Apsey Jake; Charles Roger Lewis Simon
Original assignee: Pitpatpet Ltd
Current assignee: Pitpatpet Ltd
Priority date: 2022-07-26
Filing date: 2022-07-26
Publication date: 2024-01-31
Also published as: GB202210910D0

Abstract

A tracking device comprising: a location determining means to determine a current location of a bearer; an activity monitor to determine physical characteristic of the bearer; and a transceiver configured to: send data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer obtained from the activity monitor to a remote server at predefined intervals; and activate the location determining means to determine the current location of the bearer when the transceiver determines that a request for location determination is received from a control device at the remote server. The bearer may be an animal, person, vehicle, or parcel; it may be a pet, with the device attached to its collar. The battery life of the tracking device is increased by monitoring physical characteristics (such as activity) continuously with a low power monitor and sending this data periodically, but only activating a higher power location determining means when it is needed.

Description

TRACKING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TRACKING

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to tracking. In particular, though not exclusively, 5 this invention relates to tracking devices, to methods of tracking bearers of such tracking devices.

BACKGROUND

Over the past few decades, tracking technology has become a huge part of our day-to-day lives. For example, tracking devices have gained popularity for monitoring movements of people, animals, vehicles, and the like in a real-world environment. Often, such tracking devices offer features such as real-time tracking, route history, physical activity monitoring, other physically measurable characteristics such as heart rate, pace, orientation, and the like, to users for providing safety measures for their children, pet animals, and the like. Generally, the tracking devices are wearable, and comprise location sensors.

However, existing tracking devices and techniques for tracking are associated with several limitations. Firstly, the existing tracking devices and techniques for tracking are unreliable in terms of accurately tracking a location of an entity (for example, a pet animal, a person, and the like) wearing the tracking device in the real-world environment. This can be attributed to the fact the existing tracking devices are not always able to receive signals from satellites (for example, when the entity is indoor or in a shadow of a large building or cliff) for tracking the entity. Moreover, some existing tracking devices do not consistently have radio and/or mobile reception, for example, such as in remote areas, and are therefore may be unable to communicate with the user. With such limitations, the existing tracking devices provide only a minimal indication of the state of tracking, or a minimal error indication to a user who is tracking the location of an entity. This results in a poor user experience when using the existing tracking device due to their high unreliability and unpredictability. Secondly, the existing tracking devices have a very limited battery life. This is because the existing tracking devices have position sensors (such as Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors) that are always in an active state (i.e., switched on all the time) and very frequently communicate with a device (such as a smartphone or other interactive display device) associated with the user or a remote server.

Thus, the existing tracking devices require a considerable amount of power to operate. In such a case, the tracking device battery is often discharged when they are actually required to be used for tracking purposes (for example, when the entity is lost). Moreover, some existing tracking devices rely on employing the position sensors for activity monitoring in addition to tracking the location of the entity, thus a high amount of power is required by such devices even when only activity monitoring and not location measuring is required.

Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with existing 20 tracking devices and techniques for tracking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention provides a tracking device comprising: a location determining means to determine a current location of a bearer; an activity monitor to measure a physical characteristic of the bearer; and a transceiver configured to: send data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer obtained from the activity monitor to a remote server at predefined intervals; and activate the location determining means to determine the current location of the bearer when the transceiver determines that a request for location determination is received from a control device at the remote server.

The method of the present invention enables the measurement of any physical characteristic (such as physical activity) of the bearer continuously using a lower power activity monitor, sending data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer to a remote server at predefined intervals, and activating a higher power location determining means to determine the current location of the bearer only when there is a request for location determination at the remote server. Beneficially, this allows optimum usage of the tracking device, thereby leading to increased battery life of the tracking device and increased control of operation by a user, as the location determining means is only activated when it is needed by the user (for example, when the bearer is lost). The tracking device does not rely on employing the location determining means for physical characteristic monitoring. Furthermore, the tracking device facilitates communication by having radio and/or mobile reception, for example, such as in remote areas. Moreover, the tracking device provides detailed information on the mode of operation and tracking to the user. This enhances the user experience of using the tracking device.

The tracking is simple, robust, easy to implement and use.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "tracking device" refers to a specialized equipment that is employed to determine the location of the bearer in a two-dimensional (2D) or a three-dimensional (3D) real-world environment. Optionally, the bearer is at least one of: an animal, a person, a vehicle, or a parcel. The animal could be a pet animal, for example, a dog, a cat, a rabbit, and the like. Optionally, the animal could be a livestock animal or a wild animal. The tracking device could be worn (or implanted) by the bearer on a body part (for example, such as a wrist, a foot, a leg, a neck, a waist, and the like) of the bearer. Optionally, the tracking device could be attached on clothing, a collar, a harness or any other suitable item on the bearer.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "location determining means" refers to a specialized equipment that is employed to determine, detect and/or follow locations (namely, positions) of the bearer in the real-world environment. Such location determining means is well-known in the art.

Optionally, the location determining means comprises one or more of Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors, a cellular transceiver, and a radio transceiver. In this regard, the GPS sensors may be configured to detect locations of the bearer in a global coordinate system. The global coordinate system defines a location of the bearer within the 2D space or the 3D space of the real-world environment. Optionally, the global coordinate system has a pre-defined origin and three mutually perpendicular coordinate axes. The three mutually perpendicular coordinate axes could be, for example, X, Y, and Z axes. Optionally, in this regard, the location of the bearer in the global coordinate system is expressed as (x, y, z) position coordinates along the X, Y and Z axes, respectively. The location determining means is configured to be in a low power state until is configured to send a signal to the remote server to activate the GPS sensors on the tracking device in order to determine the location of the bearer. Such a signal is received by the transceiver of the tracking device via a cellular or radio transceiver in its vicinity. The GPS sensors, the cellular transceiver, and the radio transceiver are well-known in the art.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "activity monitor" refers to a specialized equipment that is capable of monitoring and/or measuring the physical characteristic of the bearer. Such a physical characteristic can be measured, for example, such as in terms of a distance walked or run by the bearer, a calorie consumption of the bearer, a heart rate of the bearer, a sleep duration of the bearer, and the like. It is to be understood that the activity monitor would not measure any location of the bearer.

Optionally, the activity monitor comprises one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, or other motion sensors. The activity monitor may also comprise elements other than the aforementioned elements. In this regard, the accelerometer measures an acceleration (i.e., a rate of change of a velocity) of the bearer in its own instantaneous rest frame, for measuring the physical characteristic of the bearer. Such an acceleration could be measured along all the X, Y and Z axes. Furthermore, the gyroscope measures a rotation of the bearer along the X, Y and Z axes, for measuring the physical characteristic of the bearer. Moreover, the magnetometer is usually coupled with the accelerometer for measuring the rotation of the bearer along the X, Y and Z axes. The term "motion sensor" refers to a device that is capable of detecting and/or measuring movements, for example, of the bearer. Thus, the physical characteristic of the bearer could be ascertained, based on the movements (such as translational and/or rotational movements) of the bearer. Measuring the physical characteristic using the one or more of the accelerometer, the gyroscope, and the motion sensors is well-known in the art.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "transceiver" refers to a specialized device that is capable of transmitting and receiving data signals. Such a transceiver could be a long range radio transceiver or a 30 mobile transceiver for 5G/4G/3G/2G cellular standards. The transceiver could be a part of a Long Term Evolution for Machines (LTE-M) or a Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT). Optionally, the transceiver could have Sig Fox® and/or LoRag capabilities.

The transceiver periodically sends the data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer to the remote server. Said data could be, for example, such as the distance walked or run by the bearer, the calorie consumption of the bearer, the heart rate of the bearer, the sleep duration of the bearer, and the like. It will be appreciated that the activity monitor measures the physical characteristic of the bearer continuously.

It will also be appreciated the transceiver sends the data (received from the activity monitor) to the remote server only at the pre-defined intervals. Beneficially, this facilitates in saving power resources of the tracking device as the physical characteristic of the bearer would only be sent to the transceiver periodically (for example, such as after every 1 minute, after every 5 minutes, or after every 15 minutes). The predefined intervals could be user defined, or system defined. Optionally, rather than pre-defined, intervals of sending the data to the remote server are dynamically adjusted to facilitate in saving power resources of the tracking device. As an example, such adjustment may be performed by the transceiver or by some other element. As an example, the intervals may be customized and made considerably longer depending upon an actual need for tracking the bearer of the tracking device. Longer intervals enable the transceiver to send the data to the remote server after a considerably longer period of time, rather than sending the data (more) frequently. This beneficially improves a battery life of the tracking device.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "remote server" refers to hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these for at least storing the data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer, 30 receiving the request for location determination from the control device, and storing data related to the location of the bearer. Optionally, the remote server is implemented as a cloud server. Optionally, the remote server is associated with a data repository for at least storing the aforesaid data. Such a data repository may be implemented as a memory of the remote server, a removable memory, a cloud-based database, or similar.

Since there is no direct communication coupling between the tracking device and the control device, the remote server acts as an intermediary for a communication between the tracking device and the control device.

It is to be understood that the remote server is physically distant from the tracking device and the control device. Optionally, in this regard, the remote server is communicably coupled to at least the transceiver of the tracking device and the control device via a communication network. It will be appreciated that the communication network may be wired, wireless, or a combination thereof. Examples of the communication network may include, but are not limited to, Internet, a local network (such as, a TCP/IP-based network, an Ethernet-based local area network, an Ethernet-based personal area network, a Wi-Fi network, and the like), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), a telecommunication network, and a radio network.

It will be appreciated that optionally when the transceiver and the control device are connected to the remote server via the communication network i.e., when the transceiver and the control device successfully establish connection with the remote server, the remote server receives confirmation message receipts (as acknowledgements) from the transceiver and the control device. In this way, the remote server is informed that its connection with the transceiver and the control device is stable and is available for requisite communication, for example, for receiving the request for location determination from the control device and/or for determining whether or not the transceiver is to activate the location determining means. Beneficially, receiving the confirmation message receipts by the remote server ensures a reliable communication.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "control device" refers to a computing device that is associated with the user. Optionally, the control 5 device is at least one of: a snnartphone, a tablet, a snnartwatch, a laptop, a computer, a workstation. Optionally, the client device is capable of executing a client application. Herein, the term "client application" refers to a software application pertaining to tracking or monitoring the location of the bearer of the tracking device. Optionally, in this regard, the control 10 device comprises a processor that is configured to execute the client application.

Optionally, the user of the control device is provided with an interactive user interface to enable the user to interact with the client application using the interactive user interface. Such an interactive user interface is rendered on the control device associated with the user. Optionally, the interactive user interface is a dedicated user interface pertaining to the client application. The interactive user interface may comprise a menu option, an activity tab, a location tab, a weight tab, a badge tab, a display picture of the bearer, a name of the bearer, a battery status of the tracking device, a message display window, and the like. Optionally, the user sets, via the interactive user interface, the pre-defined intervals at which the data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer is sent to the remote server.

Optionally, the user sends, via the interactive user interface, the request for location determination to the remote server. In this regard, once the transceiver sends the data related to the physical characteristic to the remote server at a given pre-defined interval, the transceiver is configured to determine whether the request for location determination is received from (the user of) the control device at the remote server. In an example, the aforesaid determination may involve checking flagging of the request for location determination at the remote server to determine whether or not the transceiver is to activate the location determining means and to start sending the data related to locations of the bearer at a high cadence. When the request for location determination is received from the control device at the remote server (i.e., when a flag for requesting the location determination is 'true'), the location determining means would be activated (by sending an activation signal via the transceiver) for determining the current location of the bearer. Otherwise, when the request for location determination is not received from the control device at the remote server (i.e., when a flag for requesting the location determination is 'false'), the location determining means would not be activated for determining the current location of the bearer.

Optionally, the location determining means is configured to be in a low power state until the request for location determination is received. In this regard, until the transceiver determines the request for location determination, the location determining means would not be activated by the transceiver, and therefore would continue to be in a state wherein a power consumption by the location determining means is minimal. This beneficially facilitates in increasing an overall battery life of the tracking device as the location determining means would be (mostly) in a deactivated state (i.e., offline or sleeping) unless and until the user of the control device requests for determining the location of the bearer. This not only increases the battery life of the tracking device, but also saves the battery life for later usage as and when required by the user. For example, when the tracking device is to be employed for determining a location of a pet animal (such as a dog), the location determining means of the tracking device need not be activated when the pet animal is with the user (for example, for tracking day-to-day routes of the pet animal).

Thus, this facilitates in saving the battery life of the tracking device, for example, for a scenario wherein the user would need to search his/her pet animal when the pet animal is lost. It is to be noted that the low power state also includes a power state when the location determining means is completely turned-off.

Optionally, the transceiver is configured to be in a low power state until 5 the data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer is obtained from the activity monitor at the pre-defined intervals. In this regard, the transceiver would remain registered with (namely, coupled to) the remote server in the low power state until the aforesaid data is obtained by the transceiver. Till the time the transceiver would be in the low power 10 state, the transceiver would not be able to send or receive any information. It is to be noted that the low power state also includes a power state when the transceiver is being completely turned-off.

Optionally, the location determining means and the transceiver are switched to a low power state when the transceiver determines that no request has been received at the remote server from the control device within a pre-defined period of time. In this regard, until the transceiver determines the request for location determination, the location determining means as well as the transceiver would not be in an activated state, and therefore both of the aforesaid elements would continue to be in a state wherein a power consumption by said elements is minimal. This beneficially facilitates in increasing an overall battery life of the tracking device as the location determining means and the transceiver would be (mostly) in a deactivated state (i.e., offline or sleeping) unless and until the user of the control device requests for determining the location of the bearer. This not only increases the battery life of the tracking device, but also saves the battery life for later usage as and when required by the user. The pre-defined period of time can be user defined or system defined.

Optionally, the tracking device further comprises an energy storage 30 device to power the tracking device, wherein the usage of the energy storage device is optimised by configuring the pre-defined intervals at which the data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer is sent to the remote server. Herein, the term "energy storage device" refers to a device that is capable of providing power/energy to the tracking device.

Examples of such an energy storage device include, but are not limited to, a battery, a capacitor, a super magnet. The capacitor could be a supercapacitor.

Additionally, optionally, the tracking device further comprises a power harvesting device to recharge or replace the energy storage device. In this regard, when the energy storage device runs out of charge, the power harvesting device could be employed to recharge or to completely replace the energy storage device. When the energy storage device is replaced by the power harvesting device, the tracking device is powered by the power harvesting device.

Optionally, the usage of the energy storage device is further optimised by configuring the cadence of the location determining means differently to that of the transceiver. The phrase "cadence of the location determining means" refers to a rate at which the location determining means is configured to determine the current location of the tracking device, for example, after every one second or after every five seconds. Optionally, the user sets, via the interactive user interface, the cadence of the location determining means. Optionally, the cadence of the location determining means lies in a range of 1 second to 30 seconds. As an example, the cadence of the location determining means may be in a range of 1 second to 10 seconds, or from 1 second to 15 seconds, or from 1 second to 20 seconds, or from 5 seconds to 10 seconds, or from 5 seconds to 15 seconds, or from 5 seconds to 20 seconds, or from 5 seconds to 30 seconds, or from 10 seconds to 15 seconds, or from 10 seconds to 20 seconds, or from 10 seconds to 30 seconds. The phrase "cadence of the transceiver" refers to a rate at which the transceiver is configured to send the current location of the tracking device to the remote server, for example, after every two seconds or after every 10 seconds. The cadence of the transceiver corresponds to the pre-defined intervals.

It will be appreciated that when the cadence of location determining means is greater than the cadence of the transceiver, current locations of the tracking device are determined at a greater rate than sending the current locations of the tracking device to the remote server, and the usage of the energy storage device is less, and vice versa. Thus, by configuring the cadence of the location determining means differently to that of the transceiver, the user could decide a trade-off between a rate of live updates pertaining to the tracking locations of the bearer and the overall battery life of the tracking device. In such a case, the user may set the cadence of the location determining means as per their requirement. Beneficially, this facilitates in saving an overall battery life of the tracking device, and in subsequently generating a map for tracking the locations of the bearer in near-real time. Such a map for tracking the locations of the bearer is rendered on the interactive user interface of the control device. In an example, when the cadence of the location determining means is one second and the cadence of the transceiver is five seconds, the transceiver sends last five current locations of the bearer to the remote device. In such a case, the map for tracking the locations of the bearer represents the current locations of the bearer that were actually five seconds ago, thus it appears to the user that the map is real time.

Optionally, the aforementioned map for tracking the bearer that is rendered on the interactive user interface of the control device may comprise a representation of the uncertainty of the location of the bearer of the tracking device, of the control device (i.e., of the user of the control device when in use), or both. Typically, such a representation would be in the form of an area or outline centered on the averaged (or last measured, i.e., current) location of the bearer of the tracking device and/or of the control device. One such example of this representation would be a geometric shape (for example, such as a square or a circle) around the averaged (or last measured, i.e. current) location of the bearer of the tracking device and/or of the control device. For example, a circle may be displayed around the averaged (or last measured) location of the bearer of the tracking device and/or the control device.

A qualitative, quantitative or semi-quantitative display of the degree of uncertainty associated with a location display may be represented by the size (e.g., circumference) of the area outlined by the representation. For example, a relatively larger circle (i.e., a circle of larger radius, circumference and/or area) would correspond to a relatively larger degree of uncertainty in the precision of the location of the bearer of the tracking device and/or of the control device. A relatively smaller circle would correspond to a relatively smaller degree of uncertainty.

It may be preferable to visually differentiate between the uncertainty associated with the location of bearer of the tracking device and the uncertainty associated with the location of the control device. Thus, one such display (e.g., of the uncertainty associated with the location of bearer of the tracking device) may be one colour, pattern, shading, opacity etc, and the other, with the other display (e.g., of the uncertainty associated with the location of the control device) will be different to the first such display in one or more aspects selected from the colour, pattern, shading, and opacity of the display. For the avoidance of doubt, this list of visual differences is not exhaustive; any visual difference that aids the user of the control device in easily and rapidly differentiating between the area representing the uncertainty associated with the location of bearer of the tracking device and the uncertainty associated with the location of the control device is envisaged.

It may be preferable for a further visual differentiation to be added to the aforementioned map for tracking the bearer that is rendered on the interactive user interface of the control device, in the form of a difference in one or more parameters in the area of the map that is associated with the location of the bearer of the tracking device and/or of the control device, and in the area of the map that is not associated with these locations. The one or more parameters may be, but are not limited to, the clarity, contrast, opacity, or saturation of the areas. For example, the area of the map for tracking the bearer that is associated with the bearer of the tracking device may be displayed clearly, whereas the area of the map that is not associated with the bearer of the tracking device may be displayed in blurred, darkened, desaturated, or otherwise obscured form. This may be particularly beneficial in allowing the user of the control device to discount extraneous visual information when attempting to identify the location of the bearer of the tracking device, and in doing so more easily and/or rapidly identify the area of the map that is most relevant to locating the bearer of the tracking device. This has the advantage of allowing the user of the control device to more easily locate the bearer of the tracking device, particularly when under stress or when rapid location of the bearer of the tracking device is required, such as when a pet (as an example of a bearer of the tracking device) is missing or runs away from the user of the control device, for example.

Optionally, the tracking device further comprises one or more Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to indicate power status, pairing status, battery status, and operational status of the tracking device. It will be appreciated that optionally the tracking device further comprises other light-emitting means instead of the one or more LEDs for indicating the aforementioned statuses. The other light-emitting means could, for example, be a display, a laser, and the like. Optionally, when the tracking device is switched on, the one or more LEDs are configured to switch on for indicating that the tracking device is in an active state, and when the tracking device is switched off, the one or more LEDs are configured to switch off for indicating that the tracking device is in an inactive state.

Additionally, optionally, when the one or more LEDs are employed to indicate the pairing status, the one or more LEDs are configured to blink in a first pre-defined colour for a given time period, for indicating that the tracking device has been paired with at least one device. The at least one device could be, for example, such as the control device. In an example, the first pre-defined colour could be a green colour. It will be appreciated that such a pairing enables the tracking device and the at least one device to communicate with each other, via the remote server. Furthermore, when the tracking device is unpaired with the at least one device, the one or more LEDs could be configured to blink in a second pre-defined colour (for example, such as a red colour) for a given time period, for indicating that the tracking device has been unpaired with the at least one device.

Additionally, optionally, when the one or more LEDs are employed to indicate the battery status of the tracking device, each LED from amongst the one or more LEDs indicates a certain percentage battery level with respect to a full (i.e., 100 percent) battery level of the tracking device. Thus, a current battery level of the tracking device could be easily ascertained by checking a number of LEDs that are in an active state (namely, a switched on state) on the tracking device. In such a case, greater the number of switched-on LEDs, greater is the battery level of the tracking device. In an example, when the tracking device comprises four LEDs, each of the four LEDs may indicate 25 percent battery level with respect to the full battery level of the tracking device. Therefore, when only three LEDs from amongst the four LEDs are in the switched on state, the battery level of the energy storage device would be 75 percent.

Optionally, the one or more LEDs further indicate charging status of the tracking device. In this regard, each LED from amongst the one or more 30 LEDs is configured to flash (namely, incidentally blink) for indicating a progression in the charging status of the tracking device. In a first example, the tracking device may comprise four LEDs L1, L2, L3, and L4, the four LEDs Li-L4 being arranged in a shape of a foot in a manner that each LED corresponds to each toe of said foot. Herein, the LED L1 is flashed to indicate that the tracking device is being charged for a battery level lying in a range of 0 percent to 25 percent. Upon charging, when the battery level of the tracking device reaches up to 25 percent, the LED Li is continuously lit, and the LED L2 is flashed to indicate that the tracking device is being charged for a battery level lying in a range of 25 percent to 50 percent. When the battery level reaches up to 50 percent, the LEDs Li and L2 are continuously lit, and the LED L3 is flashed to indicate that the tracking device is being charged for a battery level lying in a range of 50 percent to 75 percent. When the battery level reaches up to 75 percent, the LEDs L1-L3 are continuously lit, and the LED L4 is flashed to indicate that the tracking device is being charged for a battery level lying in a range of 75 percent to 100 percent. When the battery level reaches up to 100 percent, all the four LEDs L1-L4 are continuously lit, for indicating that the tracking device is fully charged.

Additionally, optionally, when the one or more LEDs are employed to indicate the operational status of the tracking device, the one or more LEDs are tested for fault detection and/or other purposes during manufacturing and/or shipment of the tracking device, for ensuring that the one or more LEDs are requisitely working in the tracking device.

Optionally, the one or more LEDs are configured to further indicate at least one of: a tracking state of the bearer, an occurrence of location measurement, a state or a pattern to help the user of the control device for locating the bearer of the tracking device. In this regard, when the one or more LEDs indicate the tracking state of the bearer, the one or more LEDs may be switched on in a pre-defined consecutive manner such that each LED represents a particular stage of determining the location of the bearer. In an example, the tracking device may comprises three LEDs for indicating the tracking state of the bearer such that: a first LED indicates a first stage wherein the transceiver is waiting for a time instant for sending the data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer to the remote server; a second LED indicates a second stage wherein satellites are being searched to determine a present location of the bearer; and a third LED indicates a third stage wherein the bearer is found and real time map is displayed on an interactive user interface of the control device (associated with the user). In another example, the one or more LEDs may be continuously flashed from one direction towards another direction when satellites are being searched to determine a present location of the bearer.

Optionally, when the one or more LEDs indicate the occurrence of location measurement by switching on the one or more LEDs each time a location measurement is performed, and the (measured) location is sent to the remote server. In this manner, the user of the control device may know the tracking device is currently in a tracking mode. It will be appreciated that the tracking device comprises a plurality of LEDs that are arranged in a shape of a foot (for example, such as a paw of an animal, a foot of a person, and the like) in a manner that each LED corresponds to each toe of the foot. Additionally, optionally, when the one or more LEDs indicate the state or the pattern to help the user of the control device for locating the bearer of the tracking device, the one or more LEDs could blink in a certain pattern or remain in a switched-on state, to let the user (that, for example, is present at a distance from the bearer) identify/locate the bearer by recognising said pattern or said state, when the user is present in a vicinity of the bearer. The one or more LEDs may blink or remain in the switched-on state in a pre-defined colour for a pre-defined time period.

A second aspect of the invention provides a method of tracking a bearer comprising: measuring a physical characteristic of the bearer by a tracking device; sending data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer to a remote server at pre-defined intervals; and activating a location determining means of the tracking device to determine a current location of the bearer upon determining that a request for location determination is received at the remote server from a control device.

The aforementioned steps of the method have already been described above. The method is effective, robust, reliable and can be implemented with ease.

Optionally, the method further comprises displaying a timestamp of last received physical characteristic data and/or last determined location of the bearer on the control device. It will be appreciated that displaying of the aforesaid timestamps provide clarity to the user regarding bearer's last received physical characteristic data and last determined location while the user uses the client application for tracking the bearer. In such a case, when the user starts interacting with the client application, date and time pertaining to the last received physical characteristic data and last determined location of the bearer would be readily and accurately available to the user via the interactive user interface. Therefore, beneficially, the user can easily know (without any confusion) that when the last physical characteristic and the location of the bearer was determined, even in scenarios when there is some latency or bandwidth issues in the communication network, or when said network is lost.

Optionally, the method further comprises displaying various stages of determining the location of the bearer on the control device. The various stages of determining the location of the bearer are displayed via the interactive user interface provided at the control device. Optionally, determining the location of the bearer comprises three stages. In a first stage, the interactive user interface is configured to display graphical information representing waiting for a next pre-defined interval for sending the data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer to the remote server. In a second stage, the interactive user interface is configured to display graphical information representing searching of satellites for tracking the bearer. In a third stage, the interactive user interface is configured to display graphical information representing that the tracking of the bearer is completed and a current location of the bearer has been found. It will be appreciated that displaying the various stages of tracking on the control device facilitates in providing information to the user regarding at what stage the tracking of the bearer is, while the user uses the client application for tracking the location of the bearer. This allows the user to exactly know about a progression in the tracking of the bearer, in real time or near-real time (without any confusion and frustration).

Optionally, the method further comprises providing haptic feedback on the control device when an update on the physical characteristic and/or location of the bearer is received by the control device. In this regard, the haptic feedback beneficially facilitates in notifying the user when any update pertaining to the physical characteristic and/or the location of the bearer is received at the control device, especially when the user is not visually looking at the interactive user interface of the control device. This could be possible in a scenario when a bearer (such as a dog) who is lost is moving within the real-world environment, and a current position of the bearer may be outdated for a user (who is looking for the bearer) after a few seconds (for example, when the cadence of location determining means is greater than 10 seconds). In such a scenario, the user may miss updates pertaining to locations of the bearer due to panic.

Thus, due to the haptic feedback on the control device, the control device is gently vibrated each time the update on the physical characteristic and/or the location of the bearer is received by the control device. The haptic feedback alerts the user that there is some latest information which has been rendered at the interactive user interface, and thus the user should look at it.

Optionally, in the method, the intensity of the haptic feedback is based on the proximity of the control device to the tracking device. In this regard, greater the proximity of the control device to the tracking device, higher is the intensity of the haptic feedback. This is because when there is a minimal distance between the control device and the tracking device, it means that the user of the control device and the bearer of the tracking device are located in a proximity of each other. Thus, the intensity of the haptic feedback (for example, such as an intensity of vibrations) would be greater and regular so as to indicate the user that the user is moving in a correct direction while tracking the bearer, and is reaching closer to the bearer, as compared to when the user is far away from the bearer.

Optionally, the method further comprises generating an audio signal on the control device when an update on the physical characteristic and/or location of the bearer is received by the control device. In this regard, the audio signal beneficially facilitates in notifying the user when any update pertaining to the physical characteristic and/or the location of the bearer is received at the control device, especially when the user is not visually looking at the interactive user interface of the control device.

Such an audio signal could be in a form of an audio notification sound. This could be possible in a scenario when the user of the control device who is looking for a lost bearer may miss updates pertaining to locations of the lost bearer due to panic. Thus, each time the update on the physical characteristic and/or the location of the bearer is received by the control device, the audio signal is generated at the control device. The audio signal alerts the user that there is some latest information which has been rendered at the interactive user interface, and thus the user should look at it.

Optionally, in the method, the intensity of the audio signal is based on the proximity of the control device to the tracking device. In this regard, greater the proximity of the control device to the tracking device, higher is the intensity of the audio signal. This is because when there is a minimal distance between the control device and the tracking device, it means that the user of the control device and the bearer of the tracking device are located in a proximity of each other. Thus, the intensity of the audio signal (for example, such as a frequency and loudness of the audio signal) would be greater and regular so as to indicate the user that the user is moving in a correct direction while tracking the bearer, and is reaching closer to the bearer, as compared to when the user is far away from the bearer.

Optionally, the method further comprises displaying a map on the control device, wherein the map comprises a difference in one or more parameters in an area of the map that is associated with the location of the bearer of the tracking device, and in an area of the map that is not associated with the location of the bearer of the tracking device, wherein the one or more parameters are selected from the clarity, contrast, opacity, and saturation of the areas. In this regard, the area of the map that is associated with the location of the bearer may be displayed clearly, whereas the area of the map that is not associated with the location of the bearer may be displayed in blurred, darkened, desaturated, or otherwise obscured form. Beneficially, this allows the user of the control device to discount extraneous visual information when attempting to identify the location of the bearer, and in doing so more easily and/or rapidly identify the area of the map that is most relevant to locating the bearer. Furthermore, this is even advantageous when the user is using the control device under stress or when rapid location of the bearer of the tracking device is required (for example, such as when the bearer is missing).

A third aspect of the invention provides a light-emitting unit comprising a plurality of visual elements to indicate charging status of a tracking device of the first aspect, wherein the plurality of visual elements are arranged in the shape of a foot, and wherein each visual element from amongst the plurality of visual elements is configured to flash for indicating a progression in the charging status of the tracking device.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "light-emitting unit" refers to an equipment that is capable of emitting light by using a given visual element. The given visual element could, for example, be implemented as a Light-Emitting Diode (LED), a display, a laser, and the like. It will be appreciated that in order to indicate the charging status of the tracking device, a given visual element from amongst the plurality of visual elements is flashed (namely, incidentally blinked) for indicating that the tracking device is being charged for a battery level range. Optionally, the plurality of visual element are arranged on an entirety of the shape of the foot. As an example, the plurality of visual elements may be arranged in a manner that some visual elements from amongst the plurality of visual elements are arranged, for example, in shapes of claws of the foot, while remaining visual elements are arranged, for example, in a shape of a pad of the foot that is surrounded by the claws. Alternatively, optionally, the plurality of visual elements are arranged on a portion of the shape of the foot. As an example, the plurality of visual elements are arranged in a manner that each visual element from amongst the plurality of visual elements corresponds to each toe of said foot. In an example, when the plurality of visual elements are implemented as a plurality of LEDs, 10 LEDs may be arranged in the shape of the foot such that each LED is flashed to indicate that the tracking device is being charged for a battery level of 10 percent. In another example, 4 LEDs may be arranged in the shape of the foot such that each LED is flashed to indicate that the tracking device is being charged for a battery level of 25 percent. One such example has been described earlier above in detail in the first

example.

Optionally, in the light-emitting unit, the plurality of visual elements are further configured to indicate a current operational status of the location determining means. In this regard, when the plurality of visual elements are employed to indicate the operational status of the tracking device, a given visual element is tested for fault detection and/or other purposes during manufacturing and/or shipment of the tracking device, for ensuring that the given visual element is requisitely working in the tracking device.

Optionally, in the light-emitting unit, the plurality of visual elements are further configured to indicate a state or a pattern to help a user of a control device for locating a bearer of the tracking device. In this regard, a given visual element could blink in a certain pattern or remain in a switched-on state, to let the user (that, for example, is present at a distance from the bearer) identify/locate the bearer by recognising said pattern or said state, when the user is present in a vicinity of the bearer. The given visual element may blink or remain in the switched-on state in a pre-defined colour for a pre-defined time period Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", mean "including but not limited to", and do not exclude other components, integers or steps. Moreover, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires: in particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in connection with any of the other aspects. Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein: Figures 1A and 16 illustrate block diagrams of architectures of a tracking device, in accordance with different embodiments of the

present disclosure;

Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E illustrate schematic illustrations of charging of a tracking device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figures 3A and 3B illustrate interactive user interfaces on a control device displaying different stages of setting up a tracking device for tracking a location of a bearer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate interactive user interfaces on a control device displaying various stages of tracking a location of a bearer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present

disclosure; and

Figure 5 illustrates steps of a method of tracking a bearer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figures 1A and 15, illustrated are block diagrams of architectures of a tracking device 100, in accordance with different embodiments of the present disclosure. In Figures 1A and 15, the tracking device 100 comprises a location determining means 102, an activity monitor 104, and a transceiver 106. The transceiver 106 is communicably coupled to the location determining means 102, the activity monitor 104, and to a remote server 108. The remote server is communicably coupled to a control device 110.

In Figure 15, the tracking device 100 further comprises an energy storage 10 device 112 and one or more Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) (depicted as two LEDs 114A and 1145).

It may be understood by a person skilled in the art that Figures 1A and 15 include simplified architectures of the tracking device 100 for sake of clarity, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein. The person skilled in the art will recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications of embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 2A, 25, 2C, 2D, and 2E, illustrated are schematic illustrations of charging of a tracking device 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The tracking device 200 is to be employed, for example, for determining a location of a pet animal (for example, such as a dog, a cat, a rabbit, and the like). In Figures 2A-2E, the tracking device 200 comprises a plurality of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) (depicted as LEDs 202A, 202B, 202C and 202D) that are shown to be arranged in a shape of a foot (for example, such as a paw of the pet animal) in a manner that each LED corresponds to each toe of said foot.

In Figure 2A, the tracking device 200 is shown to be in a switched off state, whereas in Figures 25-2E, the tracking device 200 is shown to be in a charging state, wherein the LEDs 202A-202D indicate charging status of the tracking device 200. In this regard, each LED is configured to flash (namely, incidentally blink) for indicating a progression in the charging status of the tracking device 200.

In Figure 25, the LED 202A is flashed to indicate that the tracking device 200 is being charged for a battery level lying in a range of 0 percent to 25 percent. Upon said charging, when the battery level of the tracking device 200 reaches up to 25 percent, the LED 202A is continuously lit (as shown using a black oval shape).

In Figure 2C, the combination of the LED 202A being continuously lit and the LED 202B flashing is used to indicate that the tracking device 200 is being charged for a battery level lying in a range of 25 percent to 50 percent. Upon said charging, when the battery level reaches up to 50 percent, the LEDs 202A and 2025 are continuously lit (as shown using two black oval shapes).

In Figure 2D, the combination of the LED 202A, and 2025 being continuously lit and the LED 202C flashing is used to indicate that the tracking device 200 is being charged for a battery level lying in a range of 50 percent to 75 percent. Upon said charging, when the battery level reaches up to 75 percent, the LEDs 202A-202C are continuously lit (as shown using three black oval shapes).

In Figure 2E, the combination of the LED 202A, 2025 and 202C being continuously lit and the LED 202D flashing is used to indicate that the tracking device 200 is being charged for a battery level lying in a range of 75 percent to 100 percent. Upon said charging, when the battery level reaches up to 100 percent, all the LEDs 202A-202D are continuously lit (as shown using four black oval shapes), for indicating that the tracking device 200 is fully charged.

Figures 2A-2E are merely examples, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein. The person skilled in the art will recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications of embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, illustrated are interactive user interfaces on a control device displaying different stages of setting up a tracking device (not shown) for determining a location of a bearer (not shown), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein, the bearer is a pet animal, for example, such as a dog. The bearer is wearing a tracking device (not shown). As shown, the interactive user interfaces comprise a menu option, an activity tab, a location tab, a weight tab, a badges tab, a display picture of the bearer, a name of the bearer, a battery status of the tracking device, a message display window, and connectivity signals of the tracking device, a time, a battery status of the control device, and connectivity signals of the control device.

In Figure 3A, the interactive user interface represents a first stage of setting up the tracking device for determining the location of the bearer. The interactive user interface is shown to display graphical information representing a status (for example, in a form of timestamps) of a last received physical characteristic data and a last determined location (not shown) of the bearer. Also, the interactive user interface displays a tap option for guiding a user of the control device to fix when something is wrong with the location of the bearer.

In Figure 3B, the interactive user interface represents a second stage of setting up the tracking device for determining the location of the bearer. The interactive user interface is shown to display graphical information representing a status (for example, in a form of timestamps) of a latest received physical characteristic data and a latest determined location (not shown) of the bearer. Also, the interactive user interface displays a tap option to start tracking of the location of the bearer. This can be understood to be a clear state of readiness of the tracking device to determine the location of the bearer.

Referring to Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C, illustrated are interactive user interfaces on a control device (not shown) displaying various stages of determining a location of a bearer (not shown), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein, the bearer is a pet animal, for example, such as a dog. The bearer is wearing a tracking device (not shown). As shown, the interactive user interfaces comprise a live map depicting a location of the bearer and a location of a user of the control device, a battery status of the tracking device, and connectivity signals of the tracking device. In Figure 4A, the interactive user interface represents a first stage of determining the location of the bearer. The interactive user interface is shown to display graphical information representing waiting for a next pre-defined interval for sending data related to a physical characteristic of the bearer from a transceiver to a remote server. Also, an expecting contact time of the bearer is also displayed. In Figure 4B, the interactive user interface represents a second stage of determining the location of the bearer. The interactive user interface is shown to display graphical information representing searching of satellites for determining the bearer. In Figure 4C, the interactive user interface represents a third stage of determining the location of the bearer. The interactive user interface is shown to display graphical information representing that the tracking of the bearer is completed and a current location of the bearer has been found. Subsequently, live map updates start to display on the interactive user interface.

Figures 3A, 36, 4A-4C are merely examples, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein. The person skilled in the art will recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications of embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 5, illustrated are steps of a method of tracking a bearer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At step 502, physical characteristic of the bearer is measured by a tracking device. At step 504, data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer is sent to a remote server at pre-defined intervals. At step 506, the location determining means is activated to determine the location of the bearer upon determining that a request for location determination is received at the remote server from a control device.

The aforementioned steps are only illustrative and other alternatives can 10 also be provided where one or more steps are added, one or more steps are removed, or one or more steps are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tracking device comprising: a location determining means to determine a current location of a bearer; an activity monitor to measure a physical characteristic of the bearer; and a transceiver configured to: send data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer obtained from the activity monitor to a remote server at pre-defined intervals; and activate the location determining means to determine the current location of the bearer when the transceiver determines that a request for location determination is received from a control device at the remote server.
2. The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the location determining means is configured to be in a low power state until the request for location determination is received.
3. The tracking device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising an energy storage device to power the tracking device, wherein the usage of the energy storage device is optimised by configuring the pre-defined intervals at which the data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer is sent to the remote server.
4. The tracking device of claim 3, wherein the usage of the energy storage device is further optimised by configuring the cadence of the 25 location determining means differently to that of the transceiver.
5. The tracking device of any preceding claim, wherein the location determining means and the transceiver are switched to a low power state when the transceiver determines that no request has been received at the remote server from the control device within a pre-defined period of time.
6. The tracking device of any preceding claim, further comprising one or more Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to indicate power status, pairing 5 status, battery status, and operational status of the tracking device.
7. The tracking device of any preceding claim, wherein the activity monitor comprises one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, or other motion sensors.
8. The tracking device of any preceding claim, wherein the location 10 determining means comprises one or more of Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors, a cellular transceiver, and a radio transceiver.
9. A method of tracking a bearer comprising: measuring a physical characteristic of the bearer by a tracking device; sending data related to the physical characteristic of the bearer to a remote server at pre-defined intervals; and activating a location determining means of the tracking device to determine a current location of the bearer upon determining that a request for location determination is received at the remote server from a control device.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising displaying a timestamp of last received physical characteristic data and/or last determined location of the bearer on the control device.
11. The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising displaying various 25 stages of determining the location of the bearer on the control device.
12. The method of any of claims 9 to 11, further comprising providing haptic feedback on the control device when an update on the physical characteristic and/or location of the bearer is received by the control device.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the intensity of the haptic feedback is based on the proximity of the control device to the tracking 5 device.
14. The method of any of claims 9 to 11, further comprising generating an audio signal on the control device when an update on the physical characteristic and/or location of the bearer is received by the control device.
15. The method of any of claims 9 to 14, further comprising displaying a map on the control device, wherein the map comprises a difference in one or more parameters in an area of the map that is associated with the location of the bearer of the remote device, and in an area of the map that is not associated with the location of the bearer of the remote device, wherein the one or more parameters are selected from the clarity, contrast, opacity, and saturation of the areas.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the intensity of the audio signal is based on the proximity of the control device to the tracking device.
17. A light-emitting unit comprising a plurality of visual elements to indicate charging status of a tracking device of any of the claims 1-8, wherein the plurality of visual elements are arranged in the shape of a foot, and wherein each visual element from amongst the plurality of visual elements is configured to flash for indicating a progression in the charging status of the tracking device.
18. The light-emitting unit of claim 17, wherein the plurality of visual elements are further configured to indicate a current operational status of the tracking device.
19. The light-emitting unit of claim 17 or 18, wherein the plurality of visual elements are further configured to indicate a state or a pattern to help a user of a control device for locating a bearer of the tracking device.