System for localizing and sensing objects and providing alerts
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.
1. A system for localizing and sensing objects and providing alerts to users, the system comprising:
a plurality of remote localizing and sensing devices associated with the objects, each remote localizing and sensing device including:
a localization receiver for receiving localization signals;
one or more sensors for providing sensor data;
memory for storing the alert threshold values pertaining to one or more of the sensors and location;
a processor configured to determine location based on the localization signals and to signal alerts by comparing the localization signals and sensor data to the alert threshold values; and
a modem for communicating the alerts, the location and the sensor data to an ASP;
a plurality of user alert devices for receiving the alerts, the location and the sensor data;
a plurality of user interface devices for receiving from the users indication of the alert threshold values; and
an application service provider (ASP) for receiving the alert threshold values from the user interface devices, the ASP including:
a database for associating each user with a particular remote localizing and sensing device and associating the particular remote localizing and sensing device to particular alert threshold values and associating the particular remote localizing and sensing device to a group of the plurality of alert devices;
a processor for communicating the particular alert threshold values to the particular remote localizing and sensing device; and
a processor for communicating alerts generated by the particular remote localizing and sensing device and sensor data from the particular remote localizing and sensing device to the particular alert devices according to a predetermined priority.