Abstract: A method and system for detecting interaction between monitored individuals and unmonitored individuals is provided. The method includes at each monitored individual: identifying a short range wireless access point that is proximate to the monitored individual; first determining the location of the monitored individual when the identified short range wireless access point was detected; and uploading, from the monitored individual to a central monitoring location, data corresponding to the identified short range wireless access point and the location of the monitored individual when the short range wireless access point was detected. The method include at the central monitoring location: second determining whether: (a) the identified short range wireless access point is a mobile wireless access point; and (b) two or more of the monitored individuals encountered the identified short range wireless access point.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting potential tampering with a data stream from a monitoring device is provided. The method includes storing a list of cellular receivers and at least one corresponding geographic characteristic; receiving, from a remote monitoring device through a cellular network, a location of the monitoring device and the identity of a particular cellular receiver that relayed the location; identifying, from the received location and the stored at least one corresponding geographic characteristic, an expected cellular receiver from the list of cellular receivers; comparing the particular cellular receiver with the expect cellular receiver; and issuing an alert based on at least a negative result of the comparing.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting interaction between monitored individuals and unmonitored individuals is provided. The method includes at each monitored individual: identifying a short range wireless access point that is proximate to the monitored individual; first determining the location of the monitored individual when the identified short range wireless access point was detected; and uploading, from the monitored individual to a central monitoring location, data corresponding to the identified short range wireless access point and the location of the monitored individual when the short range wireless access point was detected. The method include at the central monitoring location: second determining whether: (a) the identified short range wireless access point is a mobile wireless access point; and (b) two or more of the monitored individuals encountered the identified short range wireless access point.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting potential tampering with a data stream from a monitoring device is provided. The method includes storing a list of cellular receivers and at least one corresponding geographic characteristic; receiving, from a remote monitoring device through a cellular network, a location of the monitoring device and the identity of a particular cellular receiver that relayed the location; identifying, from the received location and the stored at least one corresponding geographic characteristic, an expected cellular receiver from the list of cellular receivers; comparing the particular cellular receiver with the expect cellular receiver; and issuing an alert based on at least a negative result of the comparing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a location tracker and auxiliary device for use with a monitoring center for tracking individuals or objects. The location tracker has position determining circuitry and first wireless circuitry that communicates position data representative of the location of the location tracker to a remote location (e.g., a monitoring station). The location tracker also has second wireless circuitry that communicates with the auxiliary device. The location tracker has at least two operational modes. The location tracker switches operational modes when communication is established between the location tracker and the auxiliary device. The auxiliary device generally has an associated auxiliary device ID and wireless circuitry that communicates the auxiliary device ID to the location tracker.

Abstract: A methodology determining a response to exposure of a monitored person to a prohibited substance is provided. The methodology includes: first receiving movement data representing movement of the monitored person over time; second receiving an indication that a monitored person has been exposed to a quantity of a prohibited substance; first determining, from the received movement data, movement activity of the monitored person for a period of time before the exposure was detected; second determining a risk parameter based on at least (a) the amount of the quantity of the prohibited substance, and (b) the movement activity; issuing a notice to a supervising authority in substantially real time when the second determining results in a risk parameter that is above a first threshold; and issuing a notice to a supervising authority in non-real time when the second determining results in a risk parameter that is below the first threshold.

Abstract: A methodology determining a response to exposure of a monitored person to a prohibited substance is provided. The methodology includes: first receiving movement data representing movement of the monitored person over time; second receiving an indication that a monitored person has been exposed to a quantity of a prohibited substance; first determining, from the received movement data, movement activity of the monitored person for a period of time before the exposure was detected; second determining a risk parameter based on at least (a) the amount of the quantity of the prohibited substance, and (b) the movement activity; issuing a notice to a supervising authority in substantially real time when the second determining results in a risk parameter that is above a first threshold; and issuing a notice to a supervising authority in non-real time when the second determining results in a risk parameter that is below the first threshold.

Abstract: A location tracking device is provided. Wireless communications circuitry is configured to transmit position data representative of the location of the tracking device to a remote location, and communicate locally within an auxiliary device. The tracking device has a first operational mode in response to the absence of communication with the auxiliary device, where the tracking device is maintained in a normal operational mode. The tracking device is configured to enter a second operational mode in response to communication being established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, where in the second operational mode at least a portion of the tracking device is placed in a reduced operational mode.

Abstract: A methodology determining a response to exposure of a monitored person to a prohibited substance is provided. The methodology includes: first receiving movement data representing movement of the monitored person over time; second receiving an indication that a monitored person has been exposed to a quantity of a prohibited substance; first determining, from the received movement data, movement activity of the monitored person for a period of time before the exposure was detected; second determining a risk parameter based on at least (a) the amount of the quantity of the prohibited substance, and (b) the movement activity; issuing a notice to a supervising authority in substantially real time when the second determining results in a risk parameter that is above a first threshold; and issuing a notice to a supervising authority in non-real time when the second determining results in a risk parameter that is below the first threshold.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for detecting the presence of a certain form of tampering with respect to the operation of a location tracking device. The tracking device is of the kind that receives signals from which the location of the tracking device is determined and the tampering that is detected is of the kind wherein signal shielding material is placed around the device and/or a signal jamming device is used. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the location tracking device includes a metal detector whose output is processed to provide a shielding alarm signal. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the gain provided by the AGC circuit in the UPS or other wireless signal receiver within the location tracking device is processed to form a shielding alarm signal. These alarm signals may be distinct so as to distinguish between the different forms of tampering. In addition, either one of these described aspects may be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: A tracking device is provided. A position determiner is configured to determine a position of the tracking device. The tracking device has first and second operating modes, the first operating mode being in response to at least the absence of a data communications link with an external wireless node, the second operating mode being in response to at least the presence of communication with an external wireless node. In the first operating mode, the tracking device periodically determines its position from the position determiner and maintains a position history of the tracking device. In the second operating mode, the tracking device reduces the operations of the position determiner relative to the first operating mode. In association with the tracking device transitioning from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, the tracking device wirelessly transmits the position history.

Abstract: A location tracking device is provided. Wireless communications circuitry is configured to transmit position data representative of the location of the tracking device to a remote location, and communicate locally within an auxiliary device. The tracking device has a first operational mode in response to the absence of communication with the auxiliary device, where the tracking device is maintained in a normal operational mode. The tracking device is configured to enter a second operational mode in response to communication being established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, where in the second operational mode at least a portion of the tracking device is placed in a reduced operational mode.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a location tracking device and auxiliary device for use with a monitoring center for tracking individuals or objects. The location tracking device has position determining circuitry and first wireless circuitry that communicates position data representative of the location of the tracking device to a remote location (e.g., a monitoring station). The tracking device also has second wireless circuitry that communicates with the auxiliary device. The tracking device has at least two operational modes. The tracking device switches operational modes when communication is established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device. The auxiliary device generally has an associated auxiliary device ID and wireless circuitry that communicates the auxiliary device ID to the location tracking device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a wireless location tracking device or tag and auxiliary device for use with a home monitoring unit for tracking individuals or objects. The location tracking device has position determining circuitry and first short range wireless circuitry that communicates position data representative of the location of the tracking device to an auxiliary device (or HMU). The auxiliary device has second short range wireless circuitry that communicates with the tracking device and long range communications circuitry that communicates the position data to a remote location. The tracking device can have a first operational mode, when communication is not established with the auxiliary device, wherein the position determining circuitry is maintained in a normal power state. The tracking device can also have a second operational mode, when communication is established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, wherein the position determining circuitry is placed in a reduced power state.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a location tracking device and auxiliary device for tracking individuals or objects. The location tracking device has position determining circuitry and wireless circuitry that communicates position data representative of the location of the tracking device to an auxiliary device. The auxiliary device has long range communications circuitry that communicates this position data to a remote location. In the disclosed embodiment, the tracking device has a first operational mode, when communication is not established with the auxiliary device, wherein the position determining circuitry is maintained in a normal power state. The tracking device also has a second operational mode, when communication is established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device, wherein the position determining circuitry is placed in a reduced power state if one or more predetermined conditions are met.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a location tracking device and auxiliary device for use with a monitoring center for tracking individuals or objects. The location tracking device has position determining circuitry and first wireless circuitry that communicates position data representative of the location of the tracking device to a remote location (e.g., a monitoring station). The tracking device also has second wireless circuitry that communicates with the auxiliary device. The tracking device has at least two operational modes. The tracking device switches operational modes when communication is established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device. The auxiliary device generally has an associated auxiliary device ID and wireless circuitry that communicates the auxiliary device ID to the location tracking device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a location tracking device and auxiliary device for use with a monitoring center for tracking individuals or objects. The location tracking device has position determining circuitry and first wireless circuitry that communicates position data representative of the location of the tracking device to a remote location (e.g., a monitoring station). The tracking device also has second wireless circuitry that communicates with the auxiliary device. The tracking device has at least two operational modes and switches between these modes when communication is established between the tracking device and the auxiliary device so long as one or more predetermined conditions are satisfied. In one operational mode the position determining circuitry of the location tracking device is in a normal power state and in another operational mode such circuitry is in a reduced power state.

Abstract: A device for monitoring movement of an object is provided. A first module is configured to secure to the object. A second module, capable of electrically connecting to the first module, includes at least a rechargeable battery and a memory capable of storing a history of movement data. A third module, capable of electrically connecting with the second module, includes a data modem capable of connecting to a remote station, and a battery charger. When the second module is connected to the first module, the memory periodically records available location data representing a position of the device at the time of recording. When the second module is connected to the third module, the memory downloads through the data modem and the battery charger charges the battery.

Abstract: A device for monitoring movement of an object is provided. A first module is configured to secure to the object. A second module, capable of electrically connecting to the first module, includes at least a rechargeable battery and a memory capable of storing a history of movement data. A third module, capable of electrically connecting with the second module, includes a data modem capable of connecting to a remote station, and a battery charger. When the second module is connected to the first module, the memory periodically records available location data representing a position of the device at the time of recording. When the second module is connected to the third module, the memory downloads through the data modem and the battery charger charges the battery.