Each day it seems the news tells the sad story of a missing child and the heart rendering search for that child often leading to tragic results. New technology that uses a small GPS personal tracking device may be the answer to solving much of this problem. The new small devices can be worn as a pendant or on a belt like a small pager. The smaller size is ideal for younger children. The system uses a combination of cell phone and GPS technology to provide real time location information that is delivered to a cell phone, computer or email. The system can be programmed to report personal location information at timed intervals as short as 15 seconds. These personal tracking systems are ideal for dealing with child custody issues or with at risk children.
GPS Personal tracking information shows not only location but speed and direction of travel. The system also can be programmed to give you a warning when a child travels out of bounds such as leaving the neighborhood or leaving school early. Being able to log into your computer at any time of day and confirm the location of your child will reduce your stress and increase your family’s security. Some units even have a panic button on the unit that the child can activate in case of any emergency. The notification goes not only to you but to the GPS tracking company that is providing your service. They in turn can notify local authorities or even attempt to call the child on a cell phone to ascertain the type of emergency. The local authorities will know exactly where your child is to within a few meters speeding emergency response time. If your child is abducted most likely the perpetrator will quickly discard the child’s cell phone reducing the chance that they can be tracked. However if your child has a small GPS personal tracking device on them their location will still be transmitted to you and the authorities. All of which increases the chance that your child will be found safely.
For preadolescent children GPS personal tracking devices are as small a phone pager (2.5″X 1″X 1.7″ inches) and will run on small AA or AAA batteries for up to 24 hours before needing a recharge. Slightly larger units that can be placed in special clothing pockets or backpacks will continue to transmit on GSM cell phone frequencies for up to two weeks before needing a recharge. If your child is old enough to drive a back up tracking system can be installed in their vehicle to provide information on driving habits and travel locations. All of which provides a parent with peace of mind.
Personal tracking devices are not cheap and generally the smaller the device the more expensive it becomes. However it is hard to put a price on the safety of your child and your sense security. In addition the GPS carrier that provides the tracking and notification services will charge you a monthly fee usually around $100.00. In this day and time each of us must choose what level of safety and security they can live with. The risk level can be managed through the use of a modern technology in the form of a GPS personal tracking device.
By: Jim Kesel
Posts Tagged ‘Time Location’
GPS Systems-Not Technical Enough to use a GPS? Don’t Worry- You Can Buy an Automatic GPS System
November 4th, 2009
This may come as a surprise… you do not have to be a technical person to use a GPS.
Although the concept and technology of Global Positioning Satellite systems was originally created by the Department of Defense for military uses, it has lately been made useable to the general public and today you will be able to get an automatic GPS system easily and promptly to keep you on track while driving. An automatic GPS system is becoming more and more popular amongst people and the latest vehicles actually include it among the vehicle accessories.
An auto GPS system is basically a GPS receiver that’s put on the dashboard of the vehicle. You program in the address you’re thinking of going and the system will provide you stepwise directions -audio directions in the latest ones. The days of paper maps and argument over whether or not men could ask for directions are all over. Nowadays, all you require is an auto GPS system and you’re ready to go where you wish.
The automatic GPS system receives its signal from four out of twenty-four possible orbiters that are constantly revolving the Earth. The receiver overlays this positioning data onto map files stored on the unit, to provide a present location on the map in addition to previous course. The receiver perpetually recalculates location, passing on real time location. A regular auto GPS system comprises:
* A twelve channel receiver – the quality of the receiver decides how long it takes the device to acquire a 3-D fix.
* Antenna to receive satellite signals – placed to get an unobstructed view of the sky.
* Central processing unit to process the information and place on maps
* A DVD Hard-drive – where maps on DVD’s or those downloaded from the net are uploaded and put in. Some cheaper units don’t upload the maps; they just reference them off the DVD or CD.
* A Display Screen – generally color with hand-held units using black-and-white
* Audio Interface
The first time you switch on your automatic GPS system, its information store is empty so it has to gather satellite data to find out your location. This is named as cold start. Some units just take thirty to forty-five seconds to get a 3-D fix during a cold start, while others could take several minutes. Future position updates just takes three to four seconds. Whenever you go out of range from losing line of vision, like passing behind a large building or through a tunnel, a good receiver will immediately recover, whereas weaker units will need more time to reacquire a 3-D fix.
Nowadays, automatic GPS systems are not as costly as you guess they might be. A few of the automatic GPS systems could be obtained for under two hundred dollars and the flashier devices will cost you as much as a thousand dollars. However there’s no doubt that owning an automatic GPS system could surely make life more comfortable for everybody.
By: Kamran Chy
How To Detect GPS Tracking Units
November 1st, 2009
The new GPS auto tracker technology allows just about anyone to track anyone else. In addition almost all new cell phones have GPS tracking capabilities built in to them. Some even have the ability to transmit location information even with the battery removed. All of which make you wonder what happened to personal privacy. The answer is that there really is no privacy. Granted there are legal restrictions as to how and when you can use the new tracking technology however detecting GPS tracking units can sometimes be difficult.
There are basically two types of GPS tracking device technology available to the public. The simplest is called a passive or logger tracking device. This device is also the most difficult to detect and defend against. These devices can be as small as a matchbook and can be hidden just about anywhere. They are attached to a vehicle or individual and after a specific amount of time they must be retrieved. After retrieval the device is usually attached to a personal computer and the information is downloaded into a data base that is provided by the device manufacture.
Probably the best defense against passive/logger tracking devices comes in the form of a GPS blocker. These small units normally plug into your automobiles cigarette lighter port and provide protection for about 30 feet in any direction. Small handheld units are also available that run on batteries that also provide short range blocking. These units can range in price from $200 to $850.
The second type of GPS auto tracker or personal GPS tracking units are called real time tracking devices. These units do just as the name implies, provide current real time location information on the individual or vehicle that is being tracked. This accomplished through the use of cell phone technology. Recent technology improvements have greatly reduced the size and reliability of these tracking devices. You can purchase a battery operated unit the size of a small cell phone that will provide tracking information for up to a week before the battery requires charging. More commonly these units are attached to a vehicle and use the vehicles power supply to provide power to the tracking unit.
Real time tracking devices generally require the user to contract with a GPS tracking service company. These companies frequently provide the tracking devices and the software necessary to track the device on your personal computer. Depending on the contract the information is uploaded to you at time specific intervals. The most common information uploads range from 5 to 10 minutes.
Defending against this type of tracking device is relatively easy with a combination cell phone/GPS blocking device. These units range in cost from $300 to more than $1000. Of course either a cell phone or a GPS blocking device may accomplish the same affect. In addition if you feel that you are being tracked illegally you can contact your local law enforcement agency and let them do a scan of the vehicle or personal effects in question. Many small law enforcement agencies do not have this capability and in that case you have the option to purchase a scanning unit and do the scan yourself.
A word to the wise if you are involved in a criminal enterprise. Much of what we have outlined here will not prevent US government agencies from tracking you and your vehicles.
In most cases it is illegal to track just about anyone without their permission. However given the fact that is so hard to detect many tracking devices it is likely that illegal GPS auto tracker and personal tracking device technology will continue to be used.
By: Jim Kesel
