Key, Object & Pet Location Tags

© Brooke Clarke 2014 - 2024

Blue Dot in movie The Da
          Vinci Code
Background
Class of Device
Modes of Operation
Devices
    BiKN
    Brookstone    
    TrackR StickR
    Cobra_Tag
    Gadget Hound
    Proximo
    Loc8TOR
    Treasure_Tag
    StickNFind
    Tile
    U_Grok_It
    Anti-Lost Theft Device
    Android & 1 Tag (&2 below)
    HTC fetch
    Apple AirTag
    LoJack
    Stolen Money Tracker
    Samsung Galaxy SmartTag
    Brickhouse Security Spark Nano
    Apple Tracker Detect for Android
Patents
Related
Links

Background

In the 2003 book (Amazon) and 2006 movie "The Da Vinci Code" (IMDB, Netflix) they had what was then a science fiction device a "Blue Dot" that could be stuck on an object and you could remotely track the location of that object.  It's now 2014 and there are a number of working devices, maybe not as small and with as much capability as the fictional version, but nonetheless workable.

Reality Check:  A device like in the movie could conceivably be made by using a GPS receiver in order for the tag to get it's location and a satellite phone to transmit the tags location.  An Iridium phone might be used to do this or one of the purpose built GPS tracking devices that use a cell phone (only works were there's cell coverage).  But there's no way to make it as small as the fictional device now or in the foreseeable future.

Class of Device

At the low (typically $20) end are devices (key finders) that use 433 MHz transmitters like used in car remote locking key fobs.  The problem with them is the battery tends to last about a month and as it dies the fob makes some beeping sounds.  I'm guessing that if this happens when you are asleep and don't hear it, then the fob is worthless, i.e. it will do nothing when  you need it.  The battery life is short because they need to receive all the time and may not be designed like the PRC-68 radio where the receiver is only on for maybe 1% of the time and the other 99% is spent in very low power hibernation.

In the middle are devices that use Blue Tooth tags and a smart phone.  These tags have a range in the 30 to 100 foot range and the battery may last 6 months to a year.  As far as I can tell so far (only been studying these for some hours) these devices are transmitting all the time (although that may mean once every minute or on some timer) and that's mandatory for Leash mode operation (see below).  I expect Blue Tooth devices have been designed for very low power consumption and even have low power transmit modes for when the two units are very close, like for a Blue Tooth headset.

At the high end are systems that do not use smart phones but rather dedicated transmitters and receivers.  These may or may not have leash/Alert mode.  If not the tag is only a receiver and can have long battery life.

Modes of Operation

There are a few common ways to use these tags.

 Note:  Some tags have a button and others do not.  The button can support Phone Finder or act as a remote camera shutter release.
I think most (all?) of the Bluetooth tags have a beeper.

It may be that the app is generic.  That's so say you might be able to use a third party app.  More to come.
But to test this you need multiple phones: Apple, Android, Windows.

Find or Locate

If you loose your car keys and want to find them.  Run the app and it will tell you the signal strength so that as you move you can locate them using a closer or farther display on your smart phone, not a directional display. 
This mode is not available on the low cost key finders.

Last Known Position

Smart phones have GPS so can record the phone GPS location when the signal from a tag is no longer being received.  They you could go back to the last know position using the app and the phones GPS location.

Leash or Alert

Set some distance (signal strength) and if the object gets too far away the app will sound an alarm.
If  you leave the tagged object behind when you get some distance away the alarm sounds.
Note this does no good if you leave your smart phone behind.
This mode is not available on the low cost key finders.

Page (Here I Am or Beep)

Press a button in the app or on the base unit and the object tag will beep and/or an LED will flash to help you locate the object.
This is what key finders do as well as the others.

Reporting

The tag makes a phone call periodically reporting it's position.  The GPS based units typically do this.
This mode is not available on the low cost key finders or Blue Tooth tags.

Panic

Pressing a button on the tag activates a very loud signal on the base.
It's problematical if the speaker on a smart phone is loud enough for this app.
This mode is not available on the low cost key finders.

An alternate panic mode would be for the smart phone to call a list of numbers, maybe 911 & some relatives to let them know you needed help.
This is called an Emergency Dialer and they have been around for a long time.
Many of the Emergency Dialers have a tag that worn on a necklace with a red panic button. The more sophisticated models have a "Fall Detector" that dials whenever you fall.

Note:  If you store a phone number in your cell phone with the name ICE the there's an app that will call that number.
In Case of Emergency (Wiki: ICE) -
ICE : Emergency Contact

Phone Finder

Some of the Blue Tooth tags have a button which when pressed rings the phone.  The app gets started when the phone rings and can switch from vibrate to ring mode, if you allow this in the app setup.  Without this feature the idea of calling the smart phone is not worth much since you can call your smart phone from any other phone. 

Sleep

Putting a tag to sleep when you don't want it working is a lot easier than removing the battery.
This mode is not available on the low cost key finders.

Stolen Item

By reporting your tag as stolen to the vendor others running their app will be on the lookout for your tag ID.
This mode is not available on the low cost key finders.

Devices

BiKN

Consists of two parts.  A applique for the iPhone and tags.
It's not clear what technology is used.  There's 2-way paging, i.e. you can press a button on the tag and it will ring the iPhone app.
Currently (2014) Android is not supported.  Up to 8 tags per phone.

Brookstone Smart Find Remote Control Key Locator (Out of Stock)

Four button transmitter with 4 buttons and 4 tags.
Poor reviews.  Alarm goes off with both units in pockets.

Button TrackR (StickR TrackR)

A one inch diameter Blue Tooth tag with a button.  Press the button on the tag to ring your phone (but you can do that from any phone).
Like other Blue Tooth tags range is about 100 feet.  Paging mode.  Stolen item mode works with other phones and their web page.
iPhone or Android.
Up to 10 different tags supported on your smart phone.
$25 each, 2 for $40, 5 for $90 (less if you have a promo code).
Supports stolen item mode.

Cobra Tag Universal (BT225 UNI)

Blue Tooth based works with iPhone, Android and Blueberry apps.
Typical Blue Tooth 30 to 100 foot range.
Tag uses USB cable for recharging.   about 7 day between charges.
In Leash mode there's an option for SMS and/or email notification.
With iOS only one tag, but with some smart phones up to 7 tags.

Gadget Hound

This was an indiegogo crowd sourcing idea that did not get funded.
A special transmitter with 4 buttons, one for each tag.
Range about 30 feet.
Tag has a receiver and beeps.

Kensington Proximo

Four of the reviews I read said the alarm went off when the fob was in one pocket and the phone in another pocket.
Not recommended.

Loc8TOR

Their patented technology (20110012775) works in the 2.4 GHz ISM band (Wiki) and the hand held base unit includes a directional antenna.  Note that a directional antenna this small can not easily be made for units operating a lower frequencies like the 433 MHz key finders.  The Blue Tooth (Wiki) units also operate in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, but phones are designed to have omni directional antennas rather than directional antennas.
20110012775 Locating System, Anthony Richards, Andrew Ackland, Stephen Braithwaite, Loc8tor Ltd, 2013-08-27, - Bluetooth (2.4 GHz) tag and directional antenna.

Lite

Claims 400 foot range.
Handset has 8 range LEDs and buttons for 2 tags.
Only Page mode.
The cat locator is this one but includes the splash proof tag cover.
About $65 for base and 2 tags.

Plus

Alert (Leash) mode, Find/Locate mode or Panic mode up to 600 feet.
The Panic mode uses a special tag that's the panic button, different from the leash - find/locate tags.
Optional splash proof tag cases for pen collars or key fobs.
The dog or child locator is this one but includes the splash proof tag cover.
About $170 for base, 3 homing tags and 1 panic tag.

GPS

Sends SMS messages to laptop (needs to be running Silverlight app) reporting GPS position.
about $140.
Note: Most GPS based tracking devices require a cell phone account and an account with the provider, both of which translate into a monthly charge.  They do not work if the object goes out of GPS range OR out of cell coverage, i.e. it needs both signals to work.

Nokia Treasure Tag

Bluetooth tag that works on Windows phones, maybe the only one that does, but it should also work on other phones using "Treasure Tag" app.
Leash, find, sleep modes.  Supported by Nokia phones as well as iPhone and Android using 3rd party apps.
They use the Treasure Tag app:  Google Play, Windows, Apple Store

WS-2 First Generation - Microsoft WS-2

Uses the CR2032 coin cell battery, about 6 months capacity.
About $30  per tag for the first generation unit?
WS-2 User's Manual.pdf - Full size + NFC + longer battery life, the WS-10 is half the thickness.
NFC (Wiki) is not required for operation, but may add some functionality.

WS-10 Mini

User's Manual.pdf - CR2016 battery (came dead) - for Windows 8 phones & Others with appropriate app
Requires Bluetooth >=4.0.
Only one phone at a time and up to 4 tags.
No NFC on the Mini WS-10.
No button on the WS-10

Even after installing a new CR2016 battery, my Android cell phone can not find a new Bluetooth device.
Next to try it on an Apple product.
WS-10 Fig 1
Nokia Mini
                    WS-10
WS-10 Fig 2 The strap goes through the hole in upper right.
Not around outside like on the WS-2.
Nokia Mini
                    WS-10
WS-10 Fig3  Inside 2016 battery installs + up.
Nokia Mini
                    WS-10
WS-10 Fig 4 came with dead battery.
Nokia Mini
                    WS-10

Patents

20110234399 Method and apparatus for providing a remote lost-and-found service, Qifeng Yan, Nokia, 2011-09-29, -

StickNFind

A Bluetooth tag that works with Apple and Android apps.
The range is on the order of 100 feet.
$50 for 2 tags.
Also have a AC power meter that just plugs into a wall outlet and using Blue Tooth reports power usage to your smart phone.

Tile

These are small sealed tags based on Blue Tooth (about 100 ft range).
Has Find and Page modes.
iPhone app.
Supposed to ship later in 2014.
About $20 per tag.  The tags are sealed so when the battery goes dead  you can either buy a new tag or if there's been a price increase then trade in your old tag but still pay for a new tag (maybe a little discount?).  Projected annual tag replacement.
2018 October - announced Pro & Mate tags with replaceable battery - about twice the size of prior Tile tags.

Patents (they have many)

9357348 Systems and methods for locating a tracking device, Nicholas George Evans, Michael George Farley, Tile Inc, 2016-05-31,
D723957 Electronic tracking device, Nicholas George Evans, Michael George Farley, Elka Plamenova Alexandrova, Tile Inc, 2015-03-10, -

U Grok It

This system consists of two parts.  First is a hardware applique for a smart phone (either Apple or Android) and RFID tags.
The range is on the order of 10 feet.  Note RFID tags are very different than Bluetooth devices.  They have a much shorter range, but the tags do not need a battery.
The hardware applique is about $500.

Anti-Lost Theft Device (eBay)

Maybe called the:  iSee bluetooth LE keyring

These are Bluetooth devices.
These tags require a ping from an app to stay on, so without a working app they can not be used.  That does not make sense because once out of range the phone can not turn it back on if the receiver is off, poor design.
There is a beta app "iTracing2" for android phone, but so far I can not find an app for Apple devices.


These appear to not work.  Maybe there's a third party app that works with them?


Anti-Lost
                    Theft Device

July 2016 - these are on eBay for under $3 each from many vendors. 
The bar code sticker on these says: CEHH982A * 39500315
They come with a CR2032 battery installed.

"Before using, please download the Application and read the instruction carefully.  App "eTracing" is available on: App Store & Google play

But it is not available in the App Store.

I did find "iTracing", but it gets very bad reviews saying it's just an ad trying to get you to buy something else.  The operation of the tag is described as "Useless itag products None of them work and all disconnect randomly which is embarrassing when it disconnects in public please don't buy this product as it a piece of junk"

There is also github beta version: "iTracing2" that gets better reviews.  But it's only for android devices.  Does not support camera triggering.  It's also on github so maybe the android users are behind it?



Android & 1 Tag


One way to use the tag without any app on Android phone is as follows:

First activate the tag by pressing the button and holding it down until it beeps twice and the LED flashes (about 3 seconds).
Attach tag to something you want to locate.

To cause tag to beep:
Go to Bluetooth menu in your phone.
See available device MLE-15, Click on MLE-15 to pair to it. Get message Couldn't pair with MLE-15 because of an incorrect PIN or passkey.  Click OK.
The first time I tried this with the tag very close to the phone the tag beeped until I turned it off.
The second time, with the tag about 15 feet away, after about 16 seconds tag beeped once.
The third time I tried it took maybe a minute or two after the OK not paired for the tag to beep once.

To turn off tag: Press button once to wake it up.  Press and hold button until a single long beep.

I checked the CR2032 battery with a ZTS MBT-1 and is showed maximum charge, so this is not a battery problem.
After removing the battery to test it.  Then turning on the tag, the next time I tried to pair it started beeping before I pressed OK to the failed to pair message.
After clicking OK and waiting for a couple of minutes nothing happened, but the phone screen turned off.  When I touched the phone screen the tag made a one second beep.
The tag has turned itself off, i.e. a quick press does nothing.  It should make a quick beep and the LED should blink.

Turned tag on.  Refreshed the available Bluetoth devices and MLE-15 shows up.
Touching MLE-15 to pair it 11:18:15 . . . . 11:18:35 tag starts beeping once per second   . . .  11:19:12 beeps stop (beeps for about 35 seconds).
Tag is still on.  Try pairing again . . . 11:20 . . . . again tag starts beeping for 40 seconds.  Pressed OK for not pairing.

Again . . .  if while the tag is beeping you quickly press the tag button it will stop beeping.
Again . . .  if on the phone you press OK while the tag is beeping nothing happens.
Again . . .  if after the tag stops beeping by itself, if you press MLE-15 to try another pairing . . . the fail to pair window opens at the same time as the tag starts beeping.
Again . . . after the tag stops beeping the Couldn't pair window is still open and needs the OK

So, Android devices can use one tag without an app. NO!
After a few minutes the tag turns itself off!

Android & 2 Tags

2 tags turned on.
Click to pair.. the first tag is beeping, second tag does nothing.....both tags are on . . . going back into Bluetooth menu now shows to listings, both the same, MLE-15.
Try to pair the bottom listing . . . the first tag beeps . . . try pairing top listing after beeping stops . . the second tag now is beeping.
So, when a new tag is added it shows up at the top of the list of tags.

But when starting the phone with 3 tags on, the list only shows a single tag.  After a while the second tag starts beeping, the first tag turned off.  Refreshing the BLuetooth list shows 2 MLE-15 tags.
Turning on the first tag and refreshing the list shows . . .  two tags.

Trying to pair the top MLE-15 . . .  tag 1 beeping and tag 2 turned off.

iPad

The iPad Bluetooth screen shows "other devices" with the wheel spinning for a long time (some minutes) the tag turns off, i.e. there is a long beep.
So it looks like apple products need an app.

HTC Fetch (eBay)

about $6 each.  Came with a good CR2032 battery.  All that was needed was to pull the tab, but I opened it and tested the battery because the battery on the new in box WS-10 was dead.
Shows up in Android phone Bluetooth.
App: Android - Google Play
I'm able to pair to the HTC Fetch without any app.

HTC Fetch Fig 1
TC FetchH
TC Fetch Fig 2
TC FetchH
TC Fetch Fig 3
TC FetchH
Fig 4 Unpaired (touch "CONNECT" to pair)
TC FetchH
Fig 5 Paired
TC FetchH
The tag seems to not work when placed on a keyring.
It disconnected after about 3 miles of driving.  When trying to connect the tag would not pair while on the keyring.

So worthless to find keys.  Maybe would work on a purse?

Apple AirTag

2021 Dec: The Apple AirTag (Wiki) came out in 2020.  It works with their "Find My" app (Wiki).  In addition to Bluetooth Low Energy (Wiki: BLE) the AirTags make use of Ultra-wideband technology (Wiki) (iPhone 11 and up) as well as Near Field Communication (Wiki: NFC, Cell Phones\NFC).

Note that these do not use GPS.  The key to them working is the very large installed base of iPhones.  It may be that only iPhones newer than some OS version work.  The iOS of all iPhones above version 14.5 receive the AirTag BLE signal and report it to the Apple server.  That's to say every iPhone in the world is listening for the AirTag beacon.

These tags might be a way of recovering high value items like bicycles, cars, or things that might be stolen.  But they also seem to allow tracking people, i.e. stalking.

YouTube

How AirTags Work -
I TRACKED my friend using Apple AirTag WITHOUT him knowing! And he was on iOS 14.5! -
We tracked an AirTag around the world! - he does not mention UWB or precision location.
1. @7:57: "Find My" network has 1 Billion apps running all over the world.
2. @9:01: You do NOT need to have "Lost Mode" on.  Lost mode tells iPhones near the tag contact information.
3. @11:25: The Play Sound command on the Find My app causes the tag to make a beep.
4. @11:59: Apple trying to prevent stalking.  WaPo: Apple's AirTag trackers made it frighteningly easy to "stalk" me in a test, May 5, 2021
5. @12:39: The Tile tag comes in many form factors, works in Android, Windows and iPhones. Apple's "Find My" network is much larger than the Tile network.
6. 13:37:  In Find My app, tap your name at the upper left 4 or 5 times, Opens hidden screen with real time data.
Apple's AirTag Saved My Bike (Real Theft) - does some UWB tests but could not find tag in concrete/brick apartment block.
I sent an AirTag to North Korea, Tim Cook and Elon Musk! - Part 2 - Part 3 -
Apple AirTags being used by car thieves - to mark cars for stealing either the car or for something purchased and carried in the car.
How to Reset AirTag and Pair with iPhone - remove and reinstall battery 5 times.  the chirp sound will be different after the fifth insertion.
How the Apple AirTags were hacked -

Brickhouse Security Spark Nano

While learning about the Berkeley Varitronics Systems Wolfhound-Pro, while it is mainly a cell phone detector, it can also detect GPS trackers, like the Spark Nano.
This is because the Spark Nano combines a GPS receiver with a cell phone (Wiki: GPS Tracker). YouTube: BV Systems: How to detect a hidden GPS Tracker using Wolfhound-Pro, 4:34 -
BV Systems also makes BlueTooth detectors that will uncover most of the devices on this page.

Apple Tracker Detect for Android

This is a free app from Apple that runs on Android phones.  When run it causes nearby iTags to beep.

Patents

The AN/ASD-5 Black Crow is a passive directional receiver system used to detect spark ignition vehicles from the AC-130 (Wiki).  I think the mention of MAD detection associated with the ASD-5 may be a cover story since most references talk about it hearing ignition signals from trucks.  If it really was for MAD there would be a tail boom.

3508238 Intrusion detection system, Buford M Baker, TI, 1970-04-21, 340/551 - two equal area loops are fed to a reactance amplifier series connected but with opposite polarity so that the net signal from a change in the Earth's magnetic filed is zero.  A magnetic object moving in either of these will set off the alarm.
3609679 Earth field vehicle detector, Robert E Updegraff, Robert F D Ausilio, Threshold Eng, 1971-09-28, - buried loop larger than vehicle so pulse on entering loop and another on leaving loop.
3723988 Anisotropic thin film plated wire line sensor, V Kardashian, Honeywell, 1973-03-27, - a special cable, but no indication of where on the cable.
3727206 Personnel-vehicle intrusion detection system, F Geil, A Nelkin, Westinghouse, 1973-04-10, - uses two liquid filled tubes senses deferentially
3745450 Metal detection system for indicating the motion and direction of motion of a body having magnetic properties, M Wilt, Teledyne, 1973-07-10, - two time constants on two loops.
3754223 Intruder detection system, S Shtrikman, Yeda R&D, 1973-08-21, - d high permeability magnetic core wound with alternate polarity coils
3812484 Perimeter intrusion detection system, R Miller, W Carr, Westinghouse, 1974-05-21, - special buried cable, flux gate type operation, opposing polarity coils,
3889181 Magnetic system for discriminating between vehicles and personnel based upon their characteristic frequency signatures, Charles B Greer, Army, 1975-06-10, - uses single magnetic input then two channels (personnel & Vehicle).
4021725 Mobile mine detection system having plural color display, James L. Kirkland, Navy, 1977-05-03, -
4129855 Animal identification system, James A. Rodrian, 1978-12-12, - dongle worn on cow's necklace
4196418 Detection plate for an identification system, Harm J. Kip, Tallienco W. H. Fockens, Nederlandsche Apparatenfabriek, 1980-04-01, - injectable animal tag
6014447 Passive vehicle classification using low frequency electro-magnetic emanations, Kirk Kohnen, Wilbur W. Eaton, Raytheon Co, (Hughes), 2000-01-11, -
Uses both an e_Field antenna and and 3-axis magnetic sensor (they used relay coils) and used patent:
5425105 Multiple adaptive filter active noise canceller, to remove power line hum.
Looks at spark frequency (and its harmonics), the alternator frequency (pulley ratio to crankshaft (spark frequency), manual v. auto transmissions, 
20220003152 Exhaust-gas turbocharger and motor vehicle, Vincenzo Bevilacqua, Wolfgang Zücker, Giovanni Corvaglia, Porsche, 2022-01-06 - YouTube: Porsche's GENIUS New Turbo Design, 6:09 -
1470733 Sound detection, Harvey C Hayes, Submarine Signal Co, 1923-10-16, - line array of phased microphones
1636510 Directive sound transmission, Harvey C Hayes, Mason Max, Submarine Signal Co, 1927-07-19, -

11047702 Tracking systems for electronic devices, Adam S. Meyer, Duncan Robert Kerr, Martha Evans Hankey, Peter C. Tsoi, John B. Morrell, James H. Foster, Apple, Priority: 2016-09-16, Pub: 2021-06-29, - cites 63 patents,
8666367 Remotely locating and commanding a mobile device, Christopher Brooke Sharp, Brendan A. McCarthy, Stuart Slack, Carsten Guenther, Apple, 2014-03-04, - Find My Device (FMD), cites 835 prior art patents!
10367252 Broadband antenna, Rex T. Ehman, Jayesh Nath, Carlo Di Nallo, James G. Horiuchi, Erik G. DE JONG, Jason C. Sauers, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Siwen Yong, Lijun Zhang, Yi Jiang, Zheyu Wang, Mario Martinis, Eduardo Da Costa Bras Lima, Xu Han, Mattia Pascolini, Trevor J. Ness, Apple, - iWatch & maybe AirTag?
20180026341 Electronic Device With Millimeter Wave Antennas on Printed Circuits, Matthew A. Mow, Basim H. Noori, Ming-Ju Tsai, Xu Han, Victor C. Lee, Mattia Pascolini, Apple, 2019-09-17, - UWB in the phone.
20190257933 Electronic Devices Having Millimeter Wave Ranging Capabilities, Jayesh Nath, Simone Paulotto, Mario Martinis, Eduardo Jorge Da Costa Bras Lima, Andrea RUARO, Carlo Di Nallo, Matthew A. Mow, Mattia Pascolini, Apple, 2021-01-19, - Wireless, NFC, UWB - for tag, watch, phone &Etc.
20200333421 Fastener with a constrained retention ring, Ryan C. Perkins, Erik G. DE JONG, Tirshathah A. Hunter, Apple, 2020-10-22, - AirTag
20200337162 Mounting base for a wirelessly locatable tag, Ryan C. Perkins, Paul J. Thompson, Apple, 2020-10-22, - AirTag
11051105 Locating wireless devices, Apple, 2021-06-29, - based on the tag making a specific frequency (2.6 kHz) sound - maybe related to wireless ear buds?
11128032B2 Electronic devices having multi-band antennas, Eduardo Jorge Da Costa Bras Lima, Andrea RUARO, Carlo Di Nallo, Dimitrios Papantonis, Jayesh Nath, Jiaxiao Niu, Johan AVENDAL, Mattia Pascolini, Max O. Landaeus, Ryan C. Perkins Apple, 2021-09-21, - 2.4, 6.5 & 8.5 GHz antennas for AirTag & cell phones.
WO2022005880 Ultra-accurate object tracking using radar in multi-object environment, Michael KERNER, John Zhonghua WU, Michael Delishansky, Zohar Agon, Shachar SHAYOVITZ, Michael NEY, Shay I. FREUNDLICH, Apple, 2022-01-06, - aimed at stylus detection, probably not AirTags.
11388569 Index of everyday life, Mikko Kalervo Väänänen, Apple, 2022-07-12, - cites 60 prior art Object Location patents.

5448110 Enclosed transceiver, John R. Tuttle, Rickie C. Lake, Round Rock Research, 1995-09-05, - active RF-ID. 69 citations -
6593845 Active RF tag with wake-up circuit to prolong battery life, Daniel J. Friedman, Thomas Anthony Cofino, Trieu C. Chieu, Intermec, 2003-07-15, -
9754202 Low power radio frequency communication, Ken Gudan, Sergey Chemishkian, Jonathan J. Hull, Matthew S. Reynolds, Ricoh, 2014-03-06, -

LoJack (Wiki, Signal ID Guide)

LoJack is the antithesis of HiJack. (Wiki: Piracy)
A receiver-transmitter is hidden in a car with the receiver running all the time.  If the car is stolen a signal is sent to the car that activates the transmitter. Directional receivers can then locate the stolen car using transmissions from the car.  Note the receiver draws battery current all the time, so will drain the battery is the car is not often used.

4177466 Auto theft detection system, William R. Reagan, Lo Jack Corp, 1979-12-04, -
4818998 Method of and system and apparatus for locating and/or tracking stolen or missing vehicles and the like, Sheldon P. Apsell, Norval D. Stapelfeld, Lo Jack Corp, 1989-04-04, -
4908629 Apparatus for locating and/or tracking stolen or missing vehicles and the like, Sheldon P. Apsell, Norval D. Stapelfeld, 1990-03-13, -
6229988 Method of and apparatus for battery and similar power source conservation in periodically operable portable and related radio receivers and the like, Norval Stapefeld, Dan Kotlow, Sheldon Apsell, Lojack, 2001-05-08, - LoJack runs from a battery, so this is the power management system.

Stolen Money Tracker

Two teargas shells hidden in money packet. set off if packet is tilted (Mercury switch)
2041577 Protective packet, Clarence R Sutherland, 1936-05-19, -
A thin beacon transmitter is hidden is a bundle of money and activated if the money is stolen from the bank. 
3618059 Electronic detection and tracing means, Milton F Allen, 1971-11-02, - uses magnetic reed switch
This patent was cited as prior art by the LoJack patent below.
4021807 Beacon tracking system, Jerry W. Culpepper, Harry A. Currie, William F. Heathcock, TI, 1977-05-03, - uses clothespin type Normally Open switch
5196828 Bendable currency security dye pack, Scott E. Keniston, US Currency Protection Corp, 1993-03-23, - electronic circuit fires squibs  cites 13 prior art dye packs. triggered by a LF RF signal at the door.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag

Galaxy SmartTag is only compatible with Samsung Galaxy phones - so not researched - to bad since some models contain UWB

Related

Direction Finding
FasTrak Vehicle ID Transponder - is an active transponder, not an RF ID tag
RFID Tags - short range

Links

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Page created 20 Feb 2014