Systems and methods for monitoring and tracking

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to systems, methods and applications utilizing the convergence of any combination of the following three technologies: wireless positioning or localization technology, wireless communications technology and sensor technology. In particular, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a remote device that includes a sensor for determining or measuring a desired parameter, a receiver for receiving position data from the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite system, a processor for determining whether or not alert conditions are present and a wireless transceiver for transmitting the measured parameter data and the position data to a central station, such as an application service provider (ASP). The ASP, in turn, may communicate the measured data, position data and notification of any alerts to an end user via an alert device. The present invention also relates to various applications and systems utilizing the capabilities of such a device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 169,477, which was the National Stage of International Application Number PCT / US01 / 48539, filed on Oct. 29, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 243,915, filed on Oct. 27, 2000, which International Application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 250,347, filed on Nov. 30, 2000, which International Application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 813,477, filed on Mar. 21, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,559,620, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 608,095, filed on Jun. 30, 2000, now abandoned, which International Application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 820,551, filed on Mar. 29, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 608,913, filed on Jun. 30, 2000, now ab...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Such systems, however, are generally inflexible and inefficient.

More specifically, existing systems suffer from being incapable of being efficiently utilized for multiple business application having different types of remote monitoring needs and devices.

Furthermore, many such systems are generally incapable of generating alert messages based on both simple and complex alert parameters.

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