Tracking Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for gaming or for other purposes where tracking of the relative location of a plurality of individuals can be used which includes for each person a wireless network device connected to a network. Each device detects a current location of the device while being carried for communication to a server arranged to communicate through the network with each of the devices having a downloaded program to obtain repeatedly an indication of the current location of the device. The server detects from the current locations when any two or more of the devices are within a predetermined distance and communicates to at least one of the devices when the location is within said predetermined distance. The signal can be used to trigger various events including actions in a gaming situation.

1 . Apparatus for tracking the relative location a plurality of individuals for providing information to the individuals, the apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of wireless network devices each arranged to be carried by one individual of the plurality of individuals;   a wireless network communication network for communication with the wireless network devices;   each wireless network device having a location detection system for detecting a current location of the wireless network device while being carried;   a server providing a downloadable program which can be communicated to a selected plurality of the wireless network devices for controlling operation of the wireless network device;   a server having an operating program in communication with the network;   the server being arranged to communicate through the network with each of the wireless network devices having the downloaded program to obtain repeatedly from those wireless network devices an indication of the current location of the respective wireless network device;   the server being arranged to detect from said indications of the current location when any two or more of those wireless network devices have the location thereof within a predetermined distance;   the server being arranged to communicate through the network a signal to at least one of said two or more of those wireless network devices when the location thereof is within said predetermined distance.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the server is arranged to communicate through the network a signal to both or all of said two or more of those wireless network devices when the location thereof is within said predetermined distance. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said predetermined distance can be changed by selection of a setting on the program of the server. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said predetermined distance can be changed by selection of a setting on the downloaded program on one or more of the wireless network devices. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the server is arranged to communicate through the network to one or more of the wireless network devices having the downloaded program a map on which the current locations of some or all of the wireless network devices having the downloaded program are identified. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the server is arranged to communicate through the network to selected ones of the wireless network devices having the downloaded program a map on which the current locations of selected ones of the wireless network devices having the downloaded program are identified. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a list of the selected ones can be changed by selection of a setting on the program of the server. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a list of the selected ones can be changed by selection of a setting on the downloaded program on one or more of the wireless network devices. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the server is arranged to require the individual having the wireless network device which receives the signal to carry out a function. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the server is arranged to require the individual having the wireless network device which receives the signal to carry out a function by communicating with the server through the network. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said server initiates two-way communications between said two or more of those wireless network devices when the location thereof is within said predetermined distance. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said message is displayed to said two or more of those wireless network devices when the location thereof is within said predetermined distance so that the users can initiate communications with at least one of the other users located within said predetermined distance. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the downloaded program relates to a game to be played by the individuals having the wireless network devices having the downloaded program and wherein the server is arranged to require the individual having the wireless network device which receives the signal to carry out a function in the game by communicating with the server through the network. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the server is arranged to require the individuals having the wireless network device which receive the signal to carry out a function in the game by communicating with the other individual through the network. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the server is arranged to require the individuals having the wireless network device which receive the signal to carry out a combat action in the game by communicating with the other individual through the network. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the server is arranged to provide for each of the individuals a number of tokens and wherein the server is arranged to change the number of tokens of one or both individuals as a result of the combat action. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the server is arranged to release one or both of the individuals having the wireless network device which receive the signal from carrying out the function in the game in the event that said one of both of the individuals moves to a location further spaced from the other individual. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the downloaded program relates to a tracking of members of a selected group of the individuals having the wireless network devices having the downloaded program and wherein the server is arranged to allow individuals to select to become members of the group. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein said predetermined distance can be changed by selection of a setting on the downloaded program on one or more of the wireless network devices of individuals of the group. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the server is arranged to communicate through the network to selected ones of the wireless network devices of the individuals of the group a map on which the current locations of selected ones of the wireless network devices of the group are identified. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein a list of the selected ones of the individuals of the group which receive the locations on the map can be changed by selection of a setting on the downloaded program on one or more of the wireless network devices of the group. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the downloaded program relates to a tracking of members of a predetermined group of the individuals having the wireless network devices, the group being related by a common identifier input to the server by a representative of the group. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the server is arranged to communicate through the network a signal to a third party when any two or more of those wireless network devices have the location thereof within said predetermined distance.