Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the greenhouse gas emitting activities of a user is described. Data for different sources of greenhouse gas emitting user activities, including electricity usage, motor vehicle usage, food consumption, and flight usage, are gathered, normalized, weighted, and presented. The system and method include providing the user with feedback regarding these activities and rewarding the user for changing these activities to thereby reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Abstract: A tracking device and method of determining a location of a tag connected to an object. The method comprises transmitting a first message from a server over a long range communication protocol to the tag so that the tag emits short and long range distress messages; receiving at a server the long range distress messages including location data using the long range communication protocol; using the location data to determine a geographical area in which the tag is located; transmitting a message from the server to one or more mobile devices in the geographic area to enable the mobile devices to receive the short range distress messages; receiving at the mobile devices the short range distress messages from the tag and using the received short range distress message to locate the tag; and transmitting a second message from the mobile devices to the server including the location of the tag.

Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the greenhouse gas emitting activities of a user is described. Data for different sources of greenhouse gas emitting user activities, including electricity usage, motor vehicle usage, food consumption, and flight usage, are gathered, normalized, weighted, and presented. The system and method include providing the user with feedback regarding these activities and rewarding the user for changing these activities to thereby reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Abstract: A system for tracking objects includes tracking devices each attached to an object to be tracked and including a short range communications module. A server includes a processor and a memory. A mobile communications device (typically a mobile telephone) includes memory for storing an identification of the mobile device, a long range communication module for communication over a cellular communication network and a short range communications module for receiving short range signals transmitted from tracking devices. The mobile telephone also includes a location determination module to determine the location of the mobile telephone. On receipt of a short range distress signal from a tracking device, a location is obtained from the location module and a signal transmitted to the server including at least the identification of the tracking device, a time of receipt of the short range signal from the tracking device and the determined location of the tracking device when the short range signal was received.

Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.

Abstract: A tracking device and method of determining a location of a tag connected to an object. The method comprises transmitting a first message from a server over a long range communication protocol to the tag so that the tag emits short and long range distress messages; receiving at a server the long range distress messages including location data using the long range communication protocol; using the location data to determine a geographical area in which the tag is located; transmitting a message from the server to one or more mobile devices in the geographic area to enable the mobile devices to receive the short range distress messages; receiving at the mobile devices the short range distress messages from the tag and using the received short range distress message to locate the tag; and transmitting a second message from the mobile devices to the server including the location of the tag.

Abstract: A system for tracking objects includes tracking devices each attached to an object to be tracked and including a short range communications module. A server includes a processor and a memory. A mobile communications device (typically a mobile telephone) includes memory for storing an identification of the mobile device, a long range communication module for communication over a cellular communication network and a short range communications module for receiving short range signals transmitted from tracking devices. The mobile telephone also includes a location determination module to determine the location of the mobile telephone. On receipt of a short range distress signal from a tracking device, a location is obtained from the location module and a signal transmitted to the server including at least the identification of the tracking device, a time of receipt of the short range signal from the tracking device and the determined location of the tracking device when the short range signal was received.

Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.

Abstract: A sensor tag which in use will be affixed to a vehicle for obtaining vehicle telematics data includes a battery for powering the tag and a processor running executable code to process accelerometer data. An accelerometer measures the acceleration of the tag and thereby of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of the processor. A memory is used for storing a unique tag identifier of the tag and for storing trip data including information about trips and acceleration data. Finally, a communication module is used for short range wireless communication with a mobile communications device located in the vehicle via a short range wireless communications protocol, the communication module transmitting the tag's unique identifier and a sequence of time stamped acceleration data. The mobile communications device obtains GPS data, combines this with the acceleration date and transmits this to a server for analysis.

Abstract: A system for tracking objects includes tracking devices each attached to an object to be tracked and including a short range communications module. A server includes a processor and a memory. A mobile communications device (typically a mobile telephone) includes memory for storing an identification of the mobile device, a long range communication module for communication over a cellular communication network and a short range communications module for receiving short range signals transmitted from tracking devices. The mobile telephone also includes a location determination module to determine the location of the mobile telephone. On receipt of a short range distress signal from a tracking device, a location is obtained from the location module and a signal transmitted to the server including at least the identification of the tracking device, a time of receipt of the short range signal from the tracking device and the determined location of the tracking device when the short range signal was received.

Abstract: A system for tracking objects includes tracking devices each attached to an object to be tracked and including a short range communications module. A server includes a processor and a memory. A mobile communications device (typically a mobile telephone) includes memory for storing an identification of the mobile device, a long range communication module for communication over a cellular communication network and a short range communications module for receiving short range signals transmitted from tracking devices. The mobile telephone also includes a location determination module to determine the location of the mobile telephone. On receipt of a short range distress signal from a tracking device, a location is obtained from the location module and a signal transmitted to the server including at least the identification of the tracking device, a time of receipt of the short range signal from the tracking device and the determined location of the tracking device when the short range signal was received.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for dynamic adjustment of an annuity based on wellness monitoring of a participant is described. Investment data is accessed including capital amount data relating to a capital amount to be invested for the person, investment selection data relating to an investment selection of how the capital amount is to be invested, and periodic payment amount relating to the selected periodic payment amount to be paid to the person. Wellness programme data is accessed from a variety of sources relating to a compliance of the person with a wellness programme, including a heart rate derived from a heart rate monitor worn by the person, results of health check-ups of the person, a recorded amount and location of exercise of the person, and results of preventative screening of the person. This wellness programme data is used to dynamically calculate an additional payment amount.

Abstract: A lock button of a mobile device with an iOS operating system, to be used by a user to effect an action when the mobile device is in the locked state, is enabled for other functions by executing an application on the mobile device. When the mobile device is in a locked state, the application is in a dormant mode. The OS of the mobile device monitors for a change of location of the device and/or for the receipt of a short range wireless data signal. Upon detecting either, the operating system communicates this to the application which in response enters a background mode and monitors the on/off state of a screen of the mobile device. If the screen state changes at least twice within a predetermined period of time, the application effects an action, such as sending a panic signal.

Abstract: A system for tracking objects includes tracking devices each attached to an object to be tracked and including a short range communications module. A server includes a processor and a memory. A mobile communications device (typically a mobile telephone) includes memory for storing an identification of the mobile device, a long range communication module for communication over a cellular communication network and a short range communications module for receiving short range signals transmitted from tracking devices. The mobile telephone also includes a location determination module to determine the location of the mobile telephone. On receipt of a short range distress signal from a tracking device, a location is obtained from the location module and a signal transmitted to the server including at least the identification of the tracking device, a time of receipt of the short range signal from the tracking device and the determined location of the tracking device when the short range signal was received.

Abstract: A lock button of a mobile device with an iOS operating system, to be used by a user to effect an action when the mobile device is in the locked state, is enabled for other functions by executing an application on the mobile device. When the mobile device is in a locked state, the application is in a dormant mode. The OS of the mobile device monitors for a change of location of the device and/or for the receipt of a short range wireless data signal. Upon detecting either, the operating system communicates this to the application which in response enters a background mode and monitors the on/off state of a screen of the mobile device. If the screen state changes at least twice within a predetermined period of time, the application effects an action, such as sending a panic signal.

Abstract: A system for determining if a vehicle has been stolen includes a communication module to receive data including a location of the vehicle and a manner in which the vehicle is being driven. A comparator module compares the received location data against a database of stored locations and compares the manner in which the vehicle is being driven with previously stored driving data indicating the manner in which the vehicle was historically driven and based on this to determine if the vehicle has been stolen. A notification module issues a notification in response to the comparator module determining that the vehicle has been stolen.

Abstract: A system for determining if a vehicle has been stolen includes a communication module to receive data including a location of the vehicle and a manner in which the vehicle is being driven. A comparator module compares the received location data against a database of stored locations and compares the manner in which the vehicle is being driven with previously stored driving data indicating the manner in which the vehicle was historically driven and based on this to determine if the vehicle has been stolen. A notification module issues a notification in response to the comparator module determining that the vehicle has been stolen.