A small or large area such as a home or office may be remotely monitored by a properly authorized caller using
wireless piconet networks between personal
wireless piconet identifier devices worn or carried by particular persons and a remotely accessible access monitor base unit. Persons are monitored by an authorized remote person using a personal
wireless piconet identifying device. The personal wireless piconet identifying device includes a wireless piconet
transmitter /
receiver using, e.g.,
BLUETOOTH protocols, and may be associated with jewelry or other personal item of the monitored person. Each personal wireless piconet identifying device includes a unique code serving as a personal identifier. An access monitoring base unit (e.g., a
cordless telephone, a telephone answering device, or a
personal computer having telephone access) includes a piconet network front end which establishes a piconet or
scatternet network connection with a wireless piconet entrance / exit monitor, which in turn establishes temporary wireless piconet networks with the personal wireless piconet identifying units. The access monitoring base unit includes a piconet participant
database including entries relating to persons who are within the monitored area, and time stamp information relating to when they have been present in the monitored area. The piconet participant
database may be updated to reflect any appearances or disappearances of personal wireless piconet identifier units within the monitored area. A properly authorized caller may remotely access the access monitor base unit, enter a suitably secure access code, and request and download desired information from the piconet participant
database, either in digital or audible form. The personal wireless piconet identifying devices need not utilize a full wireless communications channel with the wireless piconet, but rather need only have their presence known to the wireless piconet network.