Importance

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Abstract

A system provides a mobile transmitter and a plurality of boundary tags for receiving communication from the mobile transmitter. Preferably the mobile transmitter is coupled to a mobile unit, which can be an inanimate object capable of moving or being moved, or a living being. The boundary tags mark the boundaries of an area within which the mobile unit is allowed to move. The mobile transmitter transmits a signal to a boundary tag. The system determines if the mobile transmitter has come into proximity of a boundary tag by receiving a reflected modulated signal from the boundary tag. If the mobile transmitter has come into proximity of a boundary tag a response is generated. The response can be a stimulus or an alert, or both. The response can be generated at a central control station, or at a mobile transceiver that includes the mobile transmitter and a mobile receiver. In one embodiment, the boundary tag modulates a reflection of the signal transmitted by the mobile transmitter. This reflected modulated signal can be received by either the mobile transmitter or by the central control station. In an alternative embodiment invention, the boundary tag records the receipt of the signal from the mobile transmitter. The central control station transmits a second signal to the boundary tag. The boundary tag modulates a reflection of the second signal to produce the reflected modulated signal, which is then received at the central control station. Optionally, the boundary tags may have unique identifiers. The system could then include a processor programmed to determine if the mobile transmitter is in proximity of a boundary tag whose unique identifier matches one of the predetermined unique identifiers. The processor can be located in the central control station, or in the transceiver, or in another location in the system.

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First Claim