WO2022109660A1

WO2022109660A1 - Portable item trackers configured for efficient tracking of portable valuables, methods for operating such item trackers, and item tracking frameworks

Info

Publication number: WO2022109660A1
Application number: PCT/AU2021/051390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lee Finniear
Original assignee: Trakwise Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-24
Filing date: 2021-11-22
Publication date: 2022-06-02
Also published as: AU2021221668A1

Abstract

The present invention relates, in various embodiments, to portable item trackers configured for efficient tracking of portable valuables, methods for operating such item trackers, and item tracking frameworks. In some embodiments an item tracker implemented cascading operations thereby to activate a wide area tracking function in the event that one or more known local networks/devices are not identified.

Description

PORTABLE ITEM TRACKERS CONFIGURED FOR EFFICIENT TRACKING OF PORTABLE VALUABLES, METHODS FOR OPERATING SUCH ITEM TRACKERS, AND ITEM TRACKING FRAMEWORKS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates, in various embodiments, to portable item trackers configured for efficient tracking of portable valuables, methods for operating such item trackers, and item tracking frameworks. These are optionally configured to operate with portable valuables, being objects/items which both spend time in a home location and outside of the home location in proximity of an owner (for example pets, bicycles, laptops, and the like). While some embodiments will be described herein with particular reference to those applications, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0003] Electronic tracking devices (“item trackers”) have become widespread in recent years. These make use of technologies such as Bluetooth and GPS thereby to track the location of an item to which an electronic tracking device is affixed. For example, electronic tracking devices have been incorporated into keyrings, wallet inserts, and the like.

[0004] An inherent technical problem associated with electronic tracking devices relates to long-range discovery. Typically, item trackers make use of a relatively short-range wireless communications protocol (for example Bluetooth). Such technology is beneficial in the context of power consumption (e.g. allowing item trackers to operate on batteries for months or even years). However, it relies on the tracker being within a threshold range of a user’s locating device, which is typically a smartphone. If the device is out of communications range of the user’s smartphone, the device cannot be tracked or located in real time. [0005] Various approaches have been implemented to overcome this technical problem. For example, one approach is to use a form of “herd identification”, whereby a given user’s item tracker can be discovered and located by another user’s smartphone, provided a specified software application is executing. This, whilst a promising solution, has in practice had only limited success (for example as a result of failing to meet a threshold necessary level of widespread user adoption required to reliably locate item trackers across a given geographical area).

[0006] Another approach is to embed additional technology into an item tracker, for example thereby to provide functionality whereby an item tracker is able to communicate its location to a network without the need for a local (e.g. Bluetooth) wireless connection to a networked device. This, however, results in item trackers which have high power requirements, resulting in short battery lives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0008] One embodiment provides an item tracker unit (ITU) including:

[0009] a power supply including a battery;

[0010] at least one antenna;

[0011] a locating module;

[0012] one or more local wireless communications modules, each configured to communicate in accordance with a local area wireless communications protocol;

[0013] a wide area wireless communications module, configured to operate in accordance with a wide area wireless communications protocol;

[0014] a microprocessor which is configured to apply a protocol thereby to cascade operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module thereby to conserve power consumption by the power supply; [0015] wherein cascading operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module includes operating the microprocessor to determine whether the ITU is within a safety bubble defined relative to: (i) one or more stationary networked devices; and (ii) one or more portable networked devices; and in the case that the microprocessor determines that the ITU is not within the safety bubble, triggering operation of the wide area wireless communications module thereby to communicate data derived from the locating module to a remote location.

[0016] One embodiment provides an item tracker unit (ITU) including:

[0017] a power supply including a battery;

[0018] at least one antenna;

[0019] a locating module;

[0020] one or more local wireless communications modules, each configured to communicate in accordance with a local area wireless communications protocol;

[0021] a wide area wireless communications module, configured to operate in accordance with a wide area wireless communications protocol;

[0022] a microprocessor which is configured to apply a protocol thereby to cascade operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module thereby to conserve power consumption by the power supply.

[0023] wherein cascading operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module includes operating the microprocessor to determine whether the ITU is within a safety bubble defined relative to: (i) one or more stationary networked devices; and/or (ii) one or more portable networked devices; and in the case that the microprocessor determines that the ITU is not within the safety bubble, triggering operation of the wide area wireless communications module thereby to communicate data derived from the locating module to a remote location.

[0024] One embodiment provides an item tracker unit (ITU) including: [0025] a power supply including a battery;

[0026] at least one antenna;

[0027] a locating module;

[0028] one or more local wireless communications modules, each configured to communicate in accordance with a local area wireless communications protocol;

[0029] a wide area wireless communications module, configured to operate in accordance with a wide area wireless communications protocol;

[0030] a microprocessor which is configured to apply a protocol thereby to cascade operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module thereby to conserve power consumption by the power supply.

[0031] wherein cascading operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module includes operating the microprocessor to determine whether the ITU is within a safety bubble defined relative to: (i) one or more stationary networked devices; and/or (ii) one or more portable networked devices; and in the case that the microprocessor determines that the ITU is not within the safety bubble, triggering operation of the wide area wireless communications module thereby to communicate data derived from the locating module to a remote location.

[0032] One embodiment provide an item tracker unit (ITU) including:

[0033] a power supply including a battery;

[0034] at least one antenna;

[0035] a locating module;

[0036] one or more local wireless communications modules, each configured to communicate in accordance with a local area wireless communications protocol; [0037] a wide area wireless communications module, configured to operate in accordance with a wide area wireless communications protocol;

[0038] a microprocessor which is configured to apply a protocol thereby to cascade operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module thereby to conserve power consumption by the power supply.

[0039] wherein cascading operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module includes operating the microprocessor to determine whether the ITU is within a safety bubble defined relative to one or more devices including at least one a low-power tag which transmits a UID locally via radio waves, and in the case that the microprocessor determines that the ITU is not within the safety bubble, triggering operation of the wide area wireless communications module thereby to communicate data derived from the locating module to a remote location.

[0040] Further example embodiments are described below in the section entitled “claims”.

[0041] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “some embodiments” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in some embodiments” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but in some instances that may be the case. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0042] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. [0043] In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with comprising.

[0044] As used herein, the term “exemplary” is used in the sense of providing examples, as opposed to indicating quality. That is, an “exemplary embodiment” is an embodiment provided as an example, as opposed to necessarily being an embodiment of exemplary quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a technological framework according to one embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 2A illustrates a method according to one embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 2B illustrates a method according to one embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates an ITU tracking arrangement according to one embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates example smartphone and ITU hardware according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The present invention relates, in various embodiments, to portable item trackers configured for efficient tracking of portable valuables, methods for operating such item trackers, and item tracking frameworks. [0052] The technology described herein is particularly suited to tracking of portable valuables, being objects/items which both spend time in a home location, and time outside of the home location in proximity of an owner. Examples include pets, bicycles, laptops, and the like.

[0053] In overview, embodiments are directed to item tracker units (ITUs) which are - configured to provide positional information via a wide area network (WAN). It will be appreciated that WAN communications consume significant levels of power. ITUs described herein are configured to apply a cascading protocol thereby to trigger operation of WAN communications only in limited circumstances, specifically when it is determined that the ITU is outside of a defined safety bubble. This safety bubble is defined based on local wireless communication range of multiple networked devices. For example, the multiple networked devices may be: (i) one or more fixed network devices; and (ii) one or more consumer mobile devices. So, for example, the safety bubble may be defined by a user to include: (i) a home area defined by local wireless communication range of an in- home WiFi router; and (ii) a moving bubble defined by local wireless communication range of the user’s smartphone.

[0054] In further embodiments, the multiple networked devices additionally/alternately include one or more Bluetooth (or similar) beacon tags. These are physical devices which transmit a UID locally over radio frequency, and may be embodied in tags, keyrings, adhesive items, consumer items (for example pet accessories, such as drinking bowls) and the like. These may operate as fixed network devices (for example where an adhesive Bluetooth tag is affixed to an immovable object) and/or as mobile networked devices (for example where an adhesive Bluetooth tag is affixed to a vehicle, or embodied in a keyring).

[0055] The term “WAN” is used to describe communications may which include: (i) communications via an loT network (for example SIGFOX or the like); (ii) communications via a conventional cellular (for example 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, or the like); and (iii) and in some cases communications via a satellite network (for example Iridium). It will be appreciated that WAN communications via an loT network is often preferable from a power consumption perspective. For example, SIGFOX utilizes a wide-reaching signal that passes freely through solid objects, called "Ultra Narrowband" and requires little energy, often being termed a "low-power wide-area network" (LPWAN). The network is based on one-hop star topology, and requires a cellular operator to carry the generated traffic. This renders the technology particularly suitable for ITUs described herein. [0056] Whilst examples herein reference SIGFOX as a primary example, Alternate networks are used additionally/alternately in further examples. These may include the likes of LTE-M and/or NB-IOT. Whilst these, and various other LPWAN protocols, tend to consume more power than SIGFOX, it will be appreciated that technology described herein is potentially of even greater relevance for such relatively more power-consumptive network protocols.

[0057] In relation to power conservation, ITUs according to embodiments described herein are configured via software and/or firmware to operate in a low power mode when inside the safety bubble. For example, when the safety bubble is detected, the ITU operates in one or more low power modes in which WAN communications (and preferably GPS locating components) are deactivated.

[0058] As used here, the term “deactivated” may include complete deactivation of components, or operation of components in a sleep mode, low power mode, or the like.

[0059] When the ITU is unable to detect that it is within the safety bubble, the ITU transitions to one or more active tracking modes, in which WAN communications and GPS locating components are activated, thereby to communicate ITU position data to a remote networked location. This facilitates live tracking of the ITU position via a user device, for example a smartphone connected to the Internet. Third party tracking company

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, a user operates a smartphone (or other mobile device) thereby to download and execute a mobile application (app) thereby to configure a safety bubble for a particular ITU (the app functionalities may alternately be provided natively on a device via its operating system). This may include pairing the smartphone with the ITU via Bluetooth, and operating a user interface provided by the app to designate one or more wireless networks (for example based on SSID) which are to define respective fixed regions of the safety bubble. Further, the paring of the smartphone with the ITU causes the ITU to store an identifier (for example a Bluetooth UID) which is readable when the smartphone is within a wireless communication channel range of the ITU, thereby to define a movable region of the safety bubble. In some cases the ITU is operable to allow pairing to multiple smartphones (and/or other mobile devices, for example Bluetooth or other tags which communicate respective UIDs over a local radio wave network) thereby to allow the movable region of the safety bubble to extend around multiple smartphones (and/or other mobile devices). [0061] The technology is readily adapted to operate as a pet tracker, or tracker for other forms of portable valuables (for example mountain bikes, passports, laptop computers, and the like) which are often taken out of a user’s home location, but not expected to move more than a threshold distance from the user.

[0062] It will be appreciated that three categories of safety bubbles are considered herein:

• Safety bubbles defined by WiFi network infrastructure.

• Safety bubbles defined by high-power consumer electronic devices (such as smartphones) having Bluetooth (or another protocol) which allows for transmission of a device UID locally over radio waves.

• Safety bubbles defined by low-power consumer electronic devices (such as Bluetooth item trackers, keyrings, adhesive Bluetooth tags, and the like)

[0063] Embodiments may make use of any one or more of these.

Example Technological Framework

[0064] FIG. 1 illustrates an example technological framework according to one embodiment.

[0065] In the context of the example of FIG. 1, an item tracking application is a mobile software application (i.e. a collection of computer executable code stored on a memory device) is executed via one or more processors of a mobile device (for example a smartphone or tablet device having a camera module). The mobile device may be, for example, a device with an Android or iOS type operating system. The mobile device is connected to a network (for example a WiFi network or cellular telecommunications network), which allows the mobile software application to communicate with a server device that is configured to perform cloud-based processing steps to support the operation of the mobile application. It will be appreciated that various steps described herein may be shifted between local and cloud-based processing in further embodiments. [0066] Software executing at the mobile device and server system is described by reference to a plurality of “modules”. The term "module" refers to a software component that is logically separable (a computer program), or a hardware component. The module of the embodiment refers to not only a module in the computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. The discussion of the embodiment also serves as the discussion of computer programs for causing the modules to function (including a program that causes a computer to execute each step, a program that causes the computer to function as means, and a program that causes the computer to implement each function), and as the discussion of a system and a method. For convenience of explanation, the phrases "stores information," "causes information to be stored," and other phrases equivalent thereto are used. If the embodiment is a computer program, these phrases are intended to express "causes a memory device to store information" or "controls a memory device to cause the memory device to store information." The modules may correspond to the functions in a one-to-one correspondence. In a software implementation, one module may form one program or multiple modules may form one program. One module may form multiple programs. Multiple modules may be executed by a single computer. A single module may be executed by multiple computers in a distributed environment or a parallel environment. One module may include another module. In the discussion that follows, the term "connection" refers to not only a physical connection but also a logical connection (such as an exchange of data, instructions, and data reference relationship). The term "predetermined" means that something is decided in advance of a process of interest. The term "predetermined" is thus intended to refer to something that is decided in advance of a process of interest in the embodiment. Even after a process in the embodiment has started, the term "predetermined" refers to something that is decided in advance of a process of interest depending on a condition or a status of the embodiment at the present point of time or depending on a condition or status heretofore continuing down to the present point of time. If "predetermined values" are plural, the predetermined values may be different from each other, or two or more of the predetermined values (including all the values) may be equal to each other. A statement that "if A, B is to be performed" is intended to mean "that it is determined whether something is A, and that if something is determined as A, an action B is to be carried out". The statement becomes meaningless if the determination as to whether something is A is not performed.

[0067] The term "system" refers to an arrangement where multiple computers, hardware configurations, and devices are interconnected via a communication network (including a one-to-one communication connection). The term "system", and the term "device", also refer to an arrangement that includes a single computer, a hardware configuration, and a device. The system does not include a social system that is a social "arrangement" formulated by humans.

[0068] At each process performed by a module, or at one of the processes performed by a module, information as a process target is read from a memory device, the information is then processed, and the process results are written onto the memory device. A description related to the reading of the information from the memory device prior to the process and the writing of the processed information onto the memory device subsequent to the process may be omitted as appropriate. The memory devices may include a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), an external storage medium, a memory device connected via a communication network, and a ledger within a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0069] In the example of FIG. 1, a single ITU 110 is shown. This ITU is configured to communicate via at least two wireless communication protocols, being:

(i) One or more one or more local wireless communications modules, each configured to communicate in accordance with a local area wireless communications protocol. In this example, ITU includes a Bluetooth module 112 and a WiFi module 113. The Bluetooth module is used for communications with one or more smartphones (or other mobile devices), for example illustrated smartphone 120. The WiFi module 113 is used for communications with one or more WiFi access points (for example routers, devices that provide hotspots, or the like), such as illustrated WiFi access point 160. In further embodiments WiFi is used for communications between smartphone 120 and ITU 110, in addition or as an alternative to Bluetooth.

(ii) At least one a wide area wireless communications module, configured to operate in accordance with a wide area wireless communications protocol. In this example, the wide area wireless communications module is a WAN module 111 that is compatible with the SIGFOX protocol. Other loT network and/or low power WAN (LPWAN) protocols are used in further embodiments.

[0070] ITU 110 additionally includes a microprocessor 114, which is configured to apply a protocol thereby to cascade operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module thereby to conserve power consumption by the power supply.

[0071] In this example, cascading operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module includes operating the microprocessor to determine whether the ITU is within a safety bubble. This safety bubble is a region defined relative to:

(i) One or more stationary networked devices, for example the illustrated WiFi AP 160. Specifically, the safety bubble is defined by a geographic region (which may dynamically vary due to various factors) in which WiFi module 113 is able to detect presence of a “safety bubble associated” wireless network. A “safety bubble associated” wireless network is a wireless network which has been designated by a user to form part of the safety bubble for ITU 110, as discussed in more detail further below. In the illustrated example, ellipse 161 is used to indicate a region in which the WFi network advertised by WiFi AP 160 is detectable. It should be appreciated that ITU 110 need not connect to that network - only detection that the network is within range is required. It will be appreciated that scanning for available networks (e.g. based on known SSIDs) may be performed on a defined schedule as a relatively low-power operation.

(ii) One or more portable networked devices, for example illustrated smartphone 120. Specifically, the safety bubble is defined by a geographic region (which may dynamically vary due to various factors, including movement of the smartphone) in which Bluetooth module 112 is able to detect presence of a “safety bubble associated” Bluetooth Unique Identifiers (Bluetooth UIDs). A “safety bubble associated” Bluetooth UID is a Bluetooth UID for a device which has been designated by a user to define part of the safety bubble for ITU 110. This may be achieved by a pairing operation, for example a pairing operation which is triggered based on pressing a button or the like on ITU 111. Other pairing techniques may also be used. It will be appreciated that there need not be an ongoing live connection between ITU 110 and smartphone 120; it is enough that ITU 110 is able to detect a Bluetooth beacon frame or the like which is broadcast by smartphone 120. It will be appreciated that scanning for available Bluetooth devices (e.g. with known Bluetooth UIDs) may be performed on a defined schedule as a relatively low-power operation. [0072] By defining the safety bubble in this manner, the safety bubble in effect has a substantially stationary “home” region around WiFi AP 160, and a moving “away-from- home” region around smartphone 120. Other tag also

[0073] It will be appreciated that a given ITU can be configured to have multiple “home” regions (based on configuration of multiple WiFi SSIDs as “safety bubble associated” SSIDs, and multiple “away-from-home” regions (based on configuration of multiple Bluetooth UIDs as “safety bubble associated” Bluetooth UIDs. It will also be appreciated that the safety bubble is not a single connected region, and will at some or all times be defined by multiple disjointed regions.

[0074] In the case that the microprocessor determines that the ITU is not within the safety bubble, the microprocessor of ITU 110 is configured to trigger operation of WAN module 111 and a GPS module 115 (other geolocation technologies may be used in further embodiments as alternatives or supplements). The ITU then communicates data representative of the location of ITU to remote location via WAN network 150. This is referred to as an “active tracking” mode.

[0075] When in the active tracking mode, ITU 110 periodically determines location via GPS module 115, and communicates that location via WAN network 150. The rate/rates at which these operations are performed may be dynamically varied based on a number of factors, which optionally include one or more of the following:

• Data from an IMU 116 (or other motion sensor module carried by ITU 110). For example, the rate of location data transmission may be set proportionally to a rate of IUT motion, as inferred from IMU 116. This may include slowing or ceasing transmission when the ITU is stationary (as GPS location will not change during that time). This may also include having multiple transmission rates (e.g. low, medium, and high) which are invoked based on a predicted rate of ITU motion, thereby to allow more accurate tracking of a fast-moving ITU.

• User settings. For example, a user can configure a higher transmission rate, for example where there is a desire to quickly locate a fast-moving portable valuable (for example a pet or bicycle). In some cases a user is able to customise these settings via network 150 (for example when an ITU is already out of the safety bubble). • Battery power. For example, the ITU applies a protocol to slow transmission rates progressively over time thereby to slow power consumption as battery levels decrease. The intention is to provide location information via network 150 for the maximum possible time when battery level goes below a defined threshold, even if that means a transmission rate of 1x per day or less.

[0076] In the present embodiment, communications from ITU 110 via WAN module 111 over network 150 are received by a server system 140. Server system 140 is configured to make data representative of the current position of ITU 110 available over the Internet, for example to smartphone 120 via an ITU management app module 130.

[0077] Smartphone 120 is a standard smartphone (for example an iOS or Android device) on which a TLS mobile app module 130 executes. Module 130 provides a user interface 121 on a display of smartphone 120 (in further embodiments web portals or the like may be used).

[0078] Smartphone 120 is an “ITU owner” device on the basis that ITU management app module 130 is configured to specifically recognise ITU 110. In this regard, ITU management app module 130 includes an ITU management/registration module, which allows for association via smartphone 120 between a user account (which may be generated via a user registration module 132) and a unique identifier of ITU 110, via an ITU management/registration module 135. For example, module 135 is configured to enable Bluetooth discovery of ITU 110, and registration of the unique identifier of ITU 110 into a local data store, thereby to configure smartphone 120 to monitor a location of ITU 110 (for example by receiving beacon transmissions periodically communicated by ITU 110).

[0079] ITU management app module 130 is configured to communicate with server-side infrastructure provided by server system 140. In that regard, app module 130 includes a request/response management module which communicates with a complementary app data handling module 141 at server system 140. Messaging between the app and the server may use conventional mobile app communications protocols.

[0080] Server system 140 may uniquely identify a given instance of app 130 based on an address associated with a user account, and/or based on unique identification details for the specific smartphone. In relation to the former, a user registration module 132 is configured to enable a user of smartphone 120 to generate a new user account, or access an existing user account via inputting of credentials. The user account is defined in an ITU registration database 143. In the present embodiment, database 143 provides records which associate data attributes including the following:

• A unique user identifier (e.g. a username, email address, or other alphanumeric identifier).

• Unique identifiers for one or more ITUs that are registered against the user account by way of operation of module 135 (ITU UIDs).

[0081] Other data may be included, for example a description of an item in respect of which each ITU is being used (for instance “luggage”, “passport”, “car keys”, “pet cat”, and so on).

[0082] Configured in this manner, server system 140 is configured to receive via a WAN connection module 140 data packets representative of the locations of ITUs in the active tracking state. For example, each data packet may include the following information:

• ITU IUD.

• Location (e.g. GPS coordinates).

• A timestamp (for example a GPS timestamp and/or packet transmission timestamp).

[0083] In some embodiments additional information is also transmitted, including one or more of the following: remaining battery power; temperature; time since last movement. Other information may also be provided, for example based on additional sensors carried by ITU 110.

[0084] In some cases multiple GPS locations with respective GPS timestamps are transmitted in each packet, for example thereby to provide position updates on a more incremental basis than the rate of transmission would otherwise allow.

[0085] Server system 140 via module 141 provides to module 130 data representative of ITU position for an ITU that is registered against the relevant user account. This allows a live tracking module 138 to cause display via user interface 121 of a map display which indicates a live position of a user’s ITU whilst in active tracking mode. This is “live” to the extent that it is based on a most recently received position transmitted by ITU 110 via WAN network 150. In some embodiments historical positions may be included thereby to provide a path of movement of ITU 110 from the time it entered the active tracking mode.

[0086] Module 130 is configured to provide, via user interface 121, functionality to enable a user to configure ITU 110, including configuration of its safety bubble. This is achieved by a safety bubble configuration module 131. Functions of module 131 optionally include some or all of the following:

• Display list of all WiFi SSIDs that are safety bubble associated SSIDs.

• Delete selected SSID from list of safety bubble associated SSIDs.

• Add new SSID to list of safety bubble associated SSIDs via manual input of SSID.

• Add new SSID to list of safety bubble associated SSIDs via selectin of SSID discovered via scan for available wireless networks.

• Display list of all Bluetooth UIDs that are safety bubble associated Bluetooth UIDs. These may be represented by device names (which are not necessarily unique, but have associated Bluetooth UIDs, and are more user friendly to handle). These may include both high power devices such as smartphones, and low power devices such as Bluetooth tags.

• Delete selected Bluetooth UID from list of safety bubble associated Bluetooth UIDs.

• Add new Bluetooth UID to list of safety bubble associated Bluetooth UIDs via scan for nearby Bluetooth devices.

[0087] An ITU settings module 134 allows a user to, via user interface 121, configure various other settings for a given ITU. This may include transmission rates when in active tracking mode, power conservation settings, alert settings, and the like.

[0088] In some embodiments, IMU 116 (or another motion sensing module) is used to allow for additional power conservation. For instance, in some embodiments ITU 110 only activates Bluetooth module 112 or WiFi module 113 in response to a signal from IMU 116 representative of ITU movement (or polls at a very low rate when the ITU is predicted to be stationary). In this manner, ITU 110 does not necessarily consume power seeking to detect presence within the safety bubble when stationary.

Example ITU Operation Processes

[0089] FIG 2A illustrates an example process performed by smartphone 120 and ITU 110 for the purposes of configuring a safety bubble.

[0090] Block 200 represents downloading, installation and launch of the ITU management app. As noted, in some embodiments tis may be provided natively by a smartphone operating system. Following launch, as represented by block 201, a user completes a user registration process, which may include logging in to an existing user account.

[0091] A user then interacts with the ITU, for example by pressing a button, thereby to transition the ITU into a pairing mode (block 210). This allows for a discovery and pairing process between the smartphone and ITU, as represented by blocks 202 and 211. Following pairing, the ITU adds the Bluetooth UID of the paired smartphone to its safety bubble associated list of Bluetooth UIDs.

[0092] The app then prompts the user to select one or more WiFi networks, for example via manual SSID input or based on networks currently discoverable by the smartphone. Based on the user’s selection at block 203, the ITU adds the selects WiFi SSID(s) to its list of bubble associated WIFI SSIDs.

[0093] At block 204, the user performs a settings customisation process, which may include giving the ITU a descriptive name, setting tracking and power management preferences, and optionally other functions. These settings are implemented by the ITU at block 214.

[0094] At the end of this process, the smartphone operates normally. This includes transmitting Bluetooth beacon frames representative of a Bluetooth UID, which are able to be observed by the ITU. The ITU commences a bubble-based location monitoring process, for example as shown in FIG. 2B. [0095] FIG. 2B illustrates an example method performed by ITU 110. It will be appreciated that various modifications to logic, ITU configuration, and ITU setting may be made to this method for the purposes of further embodiments.

[0096] Block 211 represents the ITU operating in a low power mode, where the ITU has already established that it is inside of a bubble, and there has been no IMU motion signal for longer than a threshold period (for example 5 minutes). In this mode WiFi and Bluetooth are inactive (either/both may be in a very slow polling state, for example between 1 minute and 5 minutes). WAN and GPS are inactive. /

[0097] At block 222, the IMU detects motion. This transitions the device into a WiFi polling mode at 223, which polls for known wireless networks on a rate of between 1x per second and 1x per minute. If, at decision 224, a bubble associated WFi network is detected, the ITU determines that it is in the safety bubble. If there has been an IMU timeout (decision 225) resulting from no detected motion for a threshold period (e.g. 5 minutes), the method loops to 221. Otherwise, the method loops to 224 and WFi polling continues.

[0098] If, at decision 224, a bubble associated WFi network is not detected, the ITU transitions into Bluetooth polling mode to look for bubble-associated Bluetooth UIDs. In this mode, WFi polling remains active, but at a slower rate (such that upon return to a known home bubble the ITU will return to the relatively lower power WFi polling mode).

[0099] In the event that a bubble-associated Bluetooth UID is detected at decision 227, the ITU determines that it is in the safety bubble. This is followed by an optional further IMU timeout decision 228 (this is useful where the ITU remains stationary within a mobile device safety bubble for an extended period, for example a dog owner at a cafe). If there is no IMU timeout condition, the method loops to 226. If there is an IMU timeout at 228, the method loops to 221 (or, alternately, a secondary low power mode similar to block 221, but from which the device progresses to block 226 upon detection of motion).

[00100] If at decision 227, there is no bubble-associated Bluetooth UID identified, the ITU transitions to active tracking mode at block 229. In this mode, WAN and GPS are activated, such that the device transmits its current location via the WAN network to the server system. As noted, this transmission occurs at a rate that id determined by predefined settings, and may be a dynamic rate. In the active tracking mode, WiFi and Bluetooth polling may continue at respective predefined rates (these may be slower than in modes 223 and 226). In this manner, in the case that a known bubble associated network or Bluetooth UID is discovered (decisions 230 and 231), the ITU can de-escalate out of active tracking mode (this is preferably not instantaneous, and requires a threshold period of at least 1 minute for which the ITU detects a known bubble associated network or Bluetooth UID, such that active tracking is more reliable during a locating effort).

[00101] The method of FIG. 2B does not show optional notifications that may be delivered. Notifications are in some embodiments delivered to the user smartphone in the following situations:

• Transition from WiFi polling mode to Bluetooth polling mode.

• Transition from Bluetooth polling mode to active tracking mode (this preferably prompts the user to access the live tracking interface).

• Transition from active tracking mode to Bluetooth polling mode.

• Transition from active tracking mode to WiFi polling mode.

[00102] Various other notifications may also be provided.

[00103] In some embodiments, an ITU is programmed to record whether it is in a stationary bubble (e.g. WiFi, or adhesive tag attached to immovable object) or a mobile bubble (e.g. smartphone), and apply distinct motion-activated protocols accordingly. For example, in the case of a stationary bubble, polling for bubble presence may be activated only following detection of motion, whereas for a mobile bubble polling may occur where there is one of: a predefined period elapsing (e.g. one minute); or detection of motion. This is because there is an ability for the mobile bubble to move whilst the ITU remains stationary.

[00104] It will be appreciated that in a further embodiment the ITU does not make use of an I MU, in which case the low power mode and IMU timeout decisions are omitted.

[00105] It should be appreciated that, where a communications module is described as being active or operational, that is only for a period of time when a Tx or Rx operation is performed, and the device power is otherwise minimised (for example by deactivation or a sleep mode). In this manner, by way of example, when WiFi is “on” in a regular WiFi polling mode, the WiFi is actually only activated for a matter of seconds, and then deactivated until the next polling event.

[00106] It should also be appreciated that tracking/polling rates discussed above are examples only. In some embodiments rates of tracking/polling (and other ITU behaviours) are able to be customised. This may include direct user customisation of settings via the mobile application. More preferably, the mobile application stores multiple configuration profiles which are tuned for particular forms of objects (for example pets, bicycles, passports, and the like), based on a prediction of factors such as: urgency to locate; rate of movement when out of bubble; and so on.

[00107] In some embodiments customisation of settings can include enabling a user to activate an “out-of-bubble” mode, where an ITU temporarily ignores detection of an out-of- bubble condition (and hence does not move into WLAN tracking mode). This, for example, may be useful where a user leaves a tracked object temporarily (for example locking a tracked bicycle outside of a supermarket, and entering the supermarket with their mobile phone). In some cases the “out-of-bubble” mode configures the ITU to enter WLAN tracking mode in response to motion detection.

Example Use Case 1: Pet Tracker

[00108] In one example use case, an ITU as described herein is integrated into a pet- wearable unit, in particular a dog collar for a family pet dog.

[00109] For most of the day and night, the dog is inactive. At these times, the ITU operates in the low power mode, with Bluetooth, WAN and GPS inactive. WiFi is optionally also inactive most of the time, with momentary activation for a low-frequency WiFi polling check (for example hourly).

[00110] During times when the dog moves around, WiFi polling is activated, for example at a 1x per 1 minute frequency or 1x per 5 minute frequency (this may be user configurable).

[00111] When the dog is taken out of the house for exercise, the owner carries his/her smartphone (which has a bubble-associated Bluetooth UID). Bluetooth polling occurs at a rate of 2x per minute when motion is detected. [00112] If the dog moves too far from the owner whilst exercising, or leaves the house without the owner, then: (i) active tracking is initiated via activation of GPS and WAN at the ITU; (ii) a notification is sent to the owner’s smartphone over the cellular network; and (iii) the smartphone app is configured to allow accessing of the live tracking interface thereby to show on a map overlay the ITU location substantially in real time (subject to network delays). As an extension to the example, Bluetooth tags can be used to create additional fixed and/or portable safety bubble extensions. For example, a Bluetooth tag can be placed in a location where the pet is often left alone outside of the house, for instance in a vehicle, in a kennel/cage, and so on. In a further example a Bluetooth tag is affixed to/embedded in a pet accessory, such as a dinking bowl, which can be left with the pet when tied up or the like. For example, a user ties the pet to a post outside a shop, and leaves a Bluetooth drinking bowl with the pet thereby to leave a mobile safety bubble with the pet whilst the user takes their smartphone into the shop.

Example Use Case 2: Bicycle

[00113] In one example use case, an ITU as described herein is integrated into a unit that is mountable to a bicycle. For example, this is some embodiments a unit that is mountable in a concealed location, for example inside a headtube, stem, seatpost, or the like.

[00114] For most of the day and night, the bicycle is stationary in the owner’s house. At these times, the ITU operates in the low power mode, with Bluetooth, WAN and GPS inactive. WiFi is optionally also inactive most of the time, with momentary activation for a low-frequency WiFi polling check (for example hourly).

[00115] During times when the bicycle is being ridden outdoors, the owner carries his/her smartphone (which has a bubble-associated Bluetooth UID). Bluetooth polling occurs at a rate of 2x per minute when motion is detected.

[00116] If the bicycle is stolen from the house or whilst out of the house, then: (i) active tracking is initiated via activation of WiFi and WAN at the ITU; (ii) a notification is sent to the owner’s smartphone over the cellular network; and (iii) the smartphone app is configured to allow accessing of the live tracking interface thereby to show on a map overlay the ITU location substantially in real time (subject to network delays). Example Use Case 3: Remote Location Tags

[00117] In a further example use case, an ITU as described herein is integrated into a unit that is left in a remote location, for example a cabin in the woods with no mains power source. A Bluetooth tag is also left in the remote location, ideally in a discrete/hidden position, thereby to define a safety bubble. Both the ITU and Bluetooth tag operate in low power modes, which provide 6 months or more of operation. If the ITU is taken out of the vicinity of the Bluetooth tag, WLAN tracking commences. This allows users to have long term security and tracking of items left in locations without power for extended periods.

Example ITU

[00118] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In a locating system 300, a mobile terminal 310 serves as a primary locating device, capable of communicating with one or more ITUs 340. Using the mobile terminal 310 in this manner provides a user with significant advantages. These advantages include access to tag locating functions using a full-featured user interface available in the typical mobile terminal 310. Conventional mobile terminals include keypads or equivalent input devices, text and/or graphic display devices, and full audio input/output capabilities. Because mobile terminals represent an item of everyday use for many people, using a mobile terminal 310 as a device to locate other items is particularly convenient.

[00119] In general use, a user physically associates one or more ITUs 340 with various items of interest 302. The mobile terminal 310 includes a wireless communications interface adapted for communicating with the ITUs 340. Note that the tag-locating wireless communications interface in the mobile terminal 310 may be independent of the primary base station or satellite communications interface. In an exemplary embodiment, the object- locating wireless interface is a Bluetooth transceiver. Other exemplary embodiments use other wireless communication interfaces. Thus, under user control, signals transmitted from the mobile terminal 310 cause selected ones of the ITUs 340 to emit an audible signal. Using this audible signal, the user can conveniently locate the items 302 to which the ITUs 340 are attached. The ITUs 340 may have several different physical configurations, with each different physical configuration better suited for attachment to or inclusion within a particular type of item. Thus, the ITUs 340 may include key ring fobs, luggage tags, and other configurations. [00120] The ITUs 340 in this example are configured to provide location data (e.g. GPS location data) via a WAN (for example an LPWAN network, loT network or other network) thereby to enable transmission of data to mobile terminal 310 via a mobile communications network.

[00121] FIG. 4 provides more details regarding the design of the mobile terminal 310 and a corresponding ITU 340, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Mobile terminal 310 comprises a cellular antenna 314 and associated cellular transceiver 316 (WiFi technology may also be used), a logic unit 318, input device 320 (such as a touch screen), display 324, and audio output circuit 326. An exemplary audio output circuit 226 includes a tone generator and output speaker. The input device 320, display 324, and audio output circuit 326 combine to form user interface 328. While the foregoing elements are representative of a conventional mobile terminal 310, any given mobile terminal 310 may implement variations or provide similar functionality with different elements.

[00122] For example, the mobile terminal 310 may consolidate keypad and display functions in a touch-screen. Regardless of how it is implemented, it is advantageous for the mobile terminal 310 to include some form of user interface, basic logic processing, and audio output. To these basic capabilities, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention adds a wireless transceiver 322 and associated antenna 312. The added wireless transceiver 322 allows the mobile terminal 310 to communicate with one or more ITUs 340. As the mobile terminal 310 already includes a full-featured user interface 328, the incremental cost of adding a local wireless interface for object locating purposes is not significant.

[00123] As noted, ITUs 340 may take on various physical configurations. Regardless of physical configuration, the ITU 340 in an exemplary embodiment includes an antenna 342 and associated wireless transceiver 344, a logic unit 346, an audio output circuit 348, a polling switch 350, and, optionally, a visual indicator 352. In basic operation, the ITU 340 receives a poll or locate signal from the mobile terminal 310. In response to the poll, the ITU 340 emits an audible signal using audio output circuit 348. Optionally, the ITU 340 additionally provides a visible signal using the visual indicator 352 — preferably a visible LED. The ITU 340 may continue emitting the audible signal for a defined period of time, or may continue its audible signal until a subsequent signal is received from the mobile terminal 310. As a further option, the ITU 340 may continue emitting its audible signal until the user actuates its polling switch 350 or at the end of a defined time interval, whichever occurs first.

[00124] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the wireless transceiver 322 in the mobile terminal 310 and corresponding wireless transceiver 344 in ITUs 340 are compatible, if not identical, Bluetooth transceivers. Basing the communications interface between the mobile terminal 310 and the ITUs 340 on the Bluetooth standard represents an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, but other, alternative wireless communication interfaces may be used to provide similar object locating capability. In these alternative embodiments, the communications between the mobile terminal 310 and ITUs 340 may be one-way or two-way, with the specific implementation representing a balance of features, price, and power consumption. However, using the Bluetooth standard imparts advantages to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Many of these advantages stem from the adoption of Bluetooth technology as an enabling feature for many expanded mobile terminal functions. Thus, the Bluetooth interface may be included in the mobile terminal 310 as common practice and the present invention makes advantageous use of this interface.

[00125] ITU 340 additionally includes a WiFi communications module configured to enable discovery of WFi networks (e.g. detecting of in-range SSIDs), a GPS module for geolocation (although alternate geolocation technologies may be used) and a WAN communications module (for example LPWAN such as SIGFOX, cellular network such as 4G, 5G or LTE, or another WAN technology).

Conclusions and Interpretation

[00126] It will be appreciated that the disclosure above provides technology whereby ITUs that are configured for active tracking via a WAN are able to operate functionally in low power modes, and transition into WAN active tracking only when a device leaves a defined safety bubble defined relative to fixed and portable network infrastructure.

[00127] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that there are other embodiments that are equivalent to the described embodiments. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrated embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims. [00128] It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, FIG., or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[00129] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[00130] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

[00131] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[00132] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as falling within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An item tracker unit (ITU) including: a power supply including a battery; at least one antenna; a locating module; one or more local wireless communications modules, each configured to communicate in accordance with a local area wireless communications protocol; a wide area wireless communications module, configured to operate in accordance with a wide area wireless communications protocol; a microprocessor which is configured to apply a protocol thereby to cascade operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module thereby to conserve power consumption by the power supply; wherein cascading operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module includes operating the microprocessor to determine whether the ITU is within a safety bubble defined relative to: (i) one or more stationary networked devices; and (ii) one or more portable networked devices; and in the case that the microprocessor determines that the ITU is not within the safety bubble, triggering operation of the wide area wireless communications module thereby to communicate data derived from the locating module to a remote location.

2. An ITU according to claim 1 wherein cascading operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module includes operation of the microprocessor such that the ITU is configured to: operate in a first mode in which one of the one or more local wireless communications modules to detect presence of a primary predefined wireless signal communicated over its one of the local area wireless communications protocols; in the case that presence of the primary predefined wireless signal is not detected, transition to operation in a second mode in which one of the one or more local wireless communications modules to identify presence of a secondary predefined wireless signal communicated over its one of the local area wireless communications protocols; in the case that: (i) the primary predefined wireless signal is not detected; and (ii) the secondary predefined wireless signal is not detected; determining that the ITU is not within the safety bubble, and in response triggering operation of the wide area wireless communications module thereby to communicate data derived from the locating module to a remote location.

3. An ITU according to claim 2 wherein operating in the first mode includes operating one of the one or more local wireless communications modules, being a WiFi module, to detect presence of the primary predefined wireless signal, wherein the primary predefined wireless signal is representative of presence of a known WiFi network.

4. An ITU according to claim 3 wherein operating in the second mode includes operating one of the one or more local wireless communications modules to detect presence of the secondary predefined wireless signal, wherein the secondary predefined wireless signal is representative of presence of a known portable networked device.

5. An ITU according to claim 4 wherein operating in the second mode includes operating one of the one or more local wireless communications modules, being a Bluetooth module, to detect presence of the secondary predefined wireless signal, wherein the secondary predefined wireless signal is representative of presence of Bluetooth signal communicated by the known portable networked device.

6. An ITU according to claim 4 wherein the known portable networked device is a smartphone.

7. An ITU according to claim 4 wherein the known portable networked device is a low power Bluetooth tag.

8. An ITU according to claim 4 wherein operating in the second mode includes operating one of the one or more local wireless communications modules, being a WiFi module, to detect presence of the secondary predefined wireless signal, wherein the secondary predefined wireless signal is representative of presence of WFi signal communicated by the known portable networked device.

9. An ITU according to any preceding claim wherein the wide area wireless communications protocol is a wireless communications protocol for an loT network.

10. An ITU according to claim 9 wherein the wide area wireless communications protocol is a SI G FOX protocol.

11. An ITU according to any one of claims 1 to claim 6 wherein the wide area wireless communications protocol is a cellular protocol.

12. An ITU according to any preceding claim wherein: the ITU includes a motion sensing module; and the microprocessor is configured to transition between: (i) an active state in which the microprocessor is operated to determine whether the ITU is within the safety bubble; and (ii) a low power state in which in which the microprocessor is not operated to determine whether the ITU is within the safety bubble.

13. An item tracker unit (ITU) configured to: perform a process thereby to determine whether the ITU is within a defined safety bubble, wherein the safety bubble is defined based on local wireless communication range of: (i) one or more fixed network devices; and (ii) one or more consumer mobile devices; in the case that the process determines that the ITU is not within the defined safety bubble, activating a wide area communications module thereby to transmit ITU location data to a remote source.

14. An ITU according to claim 13 wherein the process is performed in response to data derived from a motion sensor module.

15. An ITU according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the one or more fixed network devices are detected by way of WiFi packet inspection.

16. An ITU according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the one or more consumer mobile devices are detected by way of Bluetooth UID inspection.

17. An item tracker unit (ITU) including: a power supply including a battery; at least one antenna; a locating module; one or more local wireless communications modules, each configured to communicate in accordance with a local area wireless communications protocol; a wide area wireless communications module, configured to operate in accordance with a wide area wireless communications protocol; a microprocessor which is configured to apply a protocol thereby to cascade operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module thereby to conserve power consumption by the power supply. wherein cascading operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module includes operating the microprocessor to determine whether the ITU is within a safety bubble defined relative to: (i) one or more stationary networked devices; and/or (ii) one or more portable networked devices; and in the case that the microprocessor determines that the ITU is not within the safety bubble, triggering operation of the wide area wireless communications module thereby to communicate data derived from the locating module to a remote location.

18. An ITU according to claim 19 wherein at least one or the networked devices includes a low-power tag which transmits a UID locally via radio waves.

19. An item tracker unit (ITU) including: a power supply including a battery; at least one antenna; a locating module; one or more local wireless communications modules, each configured to communicate in accordance with a local area wireless communications protocol; a wide area wireless communications module, configured to operate in accordance with a wide area wireless communications protocol; a microprocessor which is configured to apply a protocol thereby to cascade operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module thereby to conserve power consumption by the power supply. wherein cascading operations between the one or more local wireless communications modules and the wide area wireless communications module includes operating the microprocessor to determine whether the ITU is within a safety bubble defined relative to one or more devices including at least one a low- power tag which transmits a UID locally via radio waves, and in the case that the microprocessor determines that the ITU is not within the safety bubble, triggering operation of the wide area wireless communications module thereby to communicate data derived from the locating module to a remote location.