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 method of acquiring the identity parameters of two or more mobile devices (20), the method comprising: obtaining a list of two or more base stations (1, 2, 3); and acquiring identity parameters from the devices (20) by emulating each base station in the list. Two or more base stations may be simultaneously emulated, and the list of two or more base stations may be obtained by simultaneously interrogating two or more base stations (1, 2, 3). The identity parameters may be IMSI and/or IMEI and/or TMSI codes.

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: 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 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 method of compiling a list of IDs associated with a mobile device user, the method including the steps of: a) identifying and recording a first subscriber ID and a first device ID; b) using one of the first IDs as a key to identify one or more second IDs, each of which has been associated with the key in a mobile device communication; and c) recording the second ID(s).

Abstract: A method of acquiring the identity parameters of two or more mobile devices (20), the method comprising: obtaining a list of two or more base stations (1, 2, 3); and acquiring identity parameters from the devices (20) by emulating each base station in the list. Two or more base stations may be simultaneously emulated, and the list of two or more base stations may be obtained by simultaneously interrogating two or more base stations (1, 2, 3). The identity parameters may be IMSI and/or IMEI and/or TMSI codes.

Abstract: A method of setting up a call with a mobile communication device, the method comprising transmitting a call request to the device over a wireless link, wherein the call request is adapted to cause the device to transmit a locator signal whilst blocking a connection management process which would otherwise cause the mobile communication device to provide a visual or audible alert. The locator signal can then be used by a direction finder to locate the direction of the device. Channel information is transmitted to the direction finder, the channel information identifying a channel of the locator signal.

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.