Networkable digital life jackets and associated methods are disclosed. An example life jacket includes a state manager and a swarm manager. The state manager is configured to selectively operate the life jacket in one of multiple operational states of the life jacket based on data obtained from one or more sensors of the life jacket. The swarm manager is configured to form a swarm network including the life jacket and one or more other life jackets.

An embodiment of a minder device includes a selector and a transceiver. The selector is configurable in one of multiple configurations each corresponding to a respective one of multiple responses. And the transceiver is configured to receive, from a host server via a cellular network, a message from a monitor device associated with the minder device, and to send, to the monitor device via a cellular network and the host server, the one of the responses corresponding to the one of the configurations in which the selector is configured. For example, such a device can be a less-expensive alternative to, and can allow more monitor control, than a smart phone. Furthermore, such a device can be suitable for tracking and locating children too young to have a smart phone, for tracking and locating pets, and for tracking and locating objects.

A system, method and device for notifying designated recipients about a personal emergency. An individual maintains a personal emergency alert device (PEAD) in accessible proximity. The PEAD is activated by onboard or remote sensor(s) in proximity to the PEAD. The sensor(s) monitor the occurrence of an emergency activation event. PEAD includes a controller. The controller, triggered by detection of an emergency event by a sensor, activates a geolocation module to obtain geolocation information, formulates an alert message, establishes a network connection, and transmits the message with geolocation information to a personal emergency alert notification service (PEANS). PEANS responds by sending a text, email or other emergency notification to designated notification recipient(s). Once activated, PEAD periodically tracks and transmits its geolocation until it runs out of power. Alternatively, PEAD can be deactivated by sending a deactivation code to the PEANS, which in turn instructs such PEAD to deactivate.

A first electronic device may determine that a distance between the first electronic device and second electronic device has exceeded a threshold distance. The first electronic device may determine whether movement of the first electronic device or movement of the second electronic device caused the distance to exceed the distance threshold. Based upon the determination of whether movement of the first electronic device or movement of the second electronic device caused the threshold to be exceeded, the first electronic device may generate one or more alert notifications to notify the user that the distance has exceeded the threshold.

Disclosed are techniques for calculating a predicted location of a location tracking device. In an aspect, a wireless communications device detects a breach of a geofence made by the location tracking device, receives data representing a state of the location tracking device, the state of the location tracking device comprising at least a current location of the location tracking device and a velocity of the location tracking device, and determines, based on the data representing the state of the location tracking device, the predicted location of the location tracking device.

A method capable of providing a low power geofence service according to the present invention comprises the steps of: detecting a reference Vrect value for estimating an indoor/outdoor position from a solar charger of a position tracker; determining whether the solar charging module (solar charger) of the position tracker is in a charging or non-charging situation, on the basis of the detected Vrect value; if it is determined that the solar charging module of the position tracker is in the charging situation, determining that the position of the position tracker is outdoors and acquiring position tracking data by using a global positioning system (GPS) module; if it is determined that the solar charger of the position tracker is in the non-charging situation, determining that the position of the position tracker is indoors or in a shaded area, and acquiring position tracking data by using one among Bluetooth low energy (BLEs), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), and ultra-wide band (UWB) modules other than the GPS module; and transmitting the acquired position tracking data to a server by using a low power communication scheme.

Networkable digital life jackets and associated methods are disclosed. An example life jacket includes a state manager and a swarm manager. The state manager is configured to selectively operate the life jacket in one of multiple operational states of the life jacket based on data obtained from one or more sensors of the life jacket. The swarm manager is configured to form a swarm network including the life jacket and one or more other life jackets.

A novel tracking system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a long-range tracking device is incorporated into a removable footwear insole and a short-range tracking device is incorporated into another removable footwear insole. The long-range tracking device includes a location determining device, a wireless communication device, and a power source. In a more particular embodiment, the location determining device is a GPS receiver, and the communication device is a cellular modem.

An object monitoring system including a plurality of location beacons, each location beacon being configured to generate a location broadcast message indicative of a beacon location and a tag associated with a respective object in use. The includes a tag memory configured to store object rules, a tag transceiver configured to transmit or receive messages and a tag processing device configured to determine context data at least partially indicative of a tag context by at least one of determining a tag location in accordance with at least one location broadcast message received via the tag transceiver from at least one of a plurality of location beacons and using stored context data, use the object rules and the context data to identify a trigger event, determine an action associated with the trigger event and cause the action to be performed.

A baby monitor system includes a baby monitor unit, the baby monitor unit including at least a camera, a low-lighting feature and an illumination feature, and a remote control unit, the remote control unit including at least a display area, the display area including at least a video area and an illumination button, the video area configured to display video that is streamed from the baby monitor unit over a communications link between the baby monitor unit and the remote control unit.