CPC H04W 4/80 (2018.02) [B60R 25/102 (2013.01); B60R 25/32 (2013.01); H04W 4/027 (2013.01); H04W 4/029 (2018.02); H04W 4/40 (2018.02); H04W 64/006 (2013.01); B60R 25/33 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A tracking device in a vehicle comprising:
a short range wireless communication module;
a long range wireless communication module;
a controller communicatively coupled to connected to the short range wireless communication module and a long range wireless communication module, the controller configured to
in response to receiving via the long range wireless communication module a first message from a server over a long range communication protocol switching the controller into a distress mode, wherein the tracking device does not include a location module;
based on switching into the distress mode the short range wireless communication module emits each of short range distress messages via the short range wireless communication module and long range distress messages with location data inferred from the long range distress messages over a low power wide-area network via the long range wireless communication module to a server; and
periodically transmit short range distress messages via the short range wireless communication module for reception by other mobile communications devices within range and located outside the vehicle;
whereby, a reception of the short range distress message via the short range wireless communication by other mobile devices within range and located outside the vehicle use a mobile device location module to infer a location of the tracking device solely due to close proximity required to receive the short range distress messages, and transmitting a location message from the other mobile devices to the server including the location of the tracking device.
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