Patent Publication Number: US-2009232356-A1

Title: Tracking System and Method for Tracking Objects

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to tracking mechanisms, and, more particularly, to a system and method for tracking objects such as people. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Nowadays, news items reporting about persons disappearing are on rise. For example, persons may disappear after being abducted, or while participating in outdoor sport activities. Ironically, people that disappear during such outdoor activities, such as adventure sports, often remain unnoticed. This may be attributed to the fact that method currently being used for confirming a person&#39;s presence or absence is usually based on manual counting. As manual counting is susceptible to human errors, the probability of missing people increases. 
     Additionally, during abductions related to children, parents of the child only come to know about the abduction after the child is abducted. Of course, once parents discover that the child is missing, they start looking for the child. Accordingly, parents need to continuously monitor the children. 
     Currently, various tracking systems are commonly being used by the parents. For example, a GPS system may be utilized for tracking a location of the abducted child or any other person. However, these systems are utilized only after the parents realize that the child is missing, thereby delaying the process of tracking the child. Additionally, the current tracking systems are complex and costly. 
     Accordingly, there is a need of a tracking system that is capable of continuously monitoring people and that has reduced response time. Additionally, there is a need of a tracking system that is less complex and economical. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a tracking system configured to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein. 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a tracking system that is capable of continuously monitoring people and that has reduced response time. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a tracking system that is easy to operate and economical. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tracking system for use in tracking one or more users. 
     In light of the above objects, in one aspect of the present invention, a tracking system for locating one or more traceable units is disclosed. The one or more traceable units may be held by one or more objects, for example, persons. The tracking system includes an identification module, a receiver, a processing module, and a transmitter. The identification module is configured to obtain unit identification information associated with the one or more traceable units. The receiver is configured to receive an information of a spatial location of the one or more traceable units and unit identification information of the one or more traceable units transmitted by the one or more traceable units. The processing module is electronically coupled to the identification module and the receiver. The processing module is configured to identify the one or more traceable units based on the obtained unit identification information and the received unit identification information. The processing module is further configured to determine locations of the one or more traceable units based on the information of the spatial location of the one or more identified traceable units. The transmitter is electronically coupled to the processing module. The transmitter is configured to transmit notification information to the one or more traceable units based on the locations of the one or more traceable units. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a traceable unit capable of communicating with a tracking system is disclosed. The traceable unit includes a memory module, a processing module, a transmitter and a receiver. The memory module is capable of storing unit identification information associated with the traceable unit. The unit identification information enables the tracking system to identify the traceable unit. The processing module is configured to identify a spatial location of the traceable unit. The transmitter is electronically coupled to the processing module and the memory module. The transmitter is further configured to transmit the unit identification information associated with the traceable unit. The transmitter is configured to transmit information of the spatial location of the traceable unit. The information of the spatial location of the traceable unit enables the tracking system to determine a location of the traceable unit. The receiver is electronically coupled to the processing module. The receiver is configured to receive a notification information from the tracking system based on the location of the traceable unit. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for locating one or more traceable units is disclosed. The method includes obtaining unit identification information associated with one or more traceable units for communicably coupling the tracking system and the one or more traceable units. Further, the method includes receiving information of a spatial location of the one or more traceable units and unit identification information associated with the one or more traceable units from the one or more traceable units when the tracking system is communicably coupled with the one or more traceable units. Moreover, the method includes identifying the one or more traceable units based on the obtained unit identification information and the received unit identification information. Further, the method includes determining a location of the one or more traceable units based on the information of the spatial location of the one or more traceable units. Still further, the method includes transmitting notification information to the each of the one or more traceable units based on the determined location of the each of the one or more traceable units. 
     These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary environment in which a tracking system communicates with one or more traceable units; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of the tracking system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C illustrate a perspective view, a side view and a front view of an exemplary tracking device incorporating the tracking system of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of a traceable unit capable of being tracked by the tracking system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary device incorporating the traceable unit of  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart depicting a method for locating a plurality of objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present invention is not limited to a tracking system and method for locating a plurality of objects, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. 
     The present invention provides a tracking system and method for locating plurality of objects. The present invention further provides a traceable unit capable of being tracked by the tracking system. The traceable unit may be held by an object. Accordingly, the present invention facilitates determination of location of the object holding the traceable unit by using the tracking system. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary environment  100  where the present invention may be practiced is illustrated. More specifically,  FIG. 1  illustrates a tracking system  102  communicably coupled to one or more traceable units  104  (hereinafter called as the traceable units  104 ). The tracking system  102  communicates with the traceable units  104  using a radio frequency technology. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the tracking system  102  may be capable of communicating with the traceable units  104  using any other communication technologies known in the art. 
     In particular, the tracking system  102  is capable of registering the traceable units  104  therewith. Thereafter, the tracking system  102  utilizes the registration information associated with the traceable units  104  for determining the location of the traceable units  104 , thereby tracking the traceable units  104 . More specifically, the tracking system  102  is capable of receiving the information of the spatial locations of the traceable units  104 . Based on the information of the spatial locations of the traceable units  104 , the tracking system  102  determines locations of the traceable units  104  to locate the one or more user holding the traceable units  104 . The tracking system  102  will be explained further in conjunction with  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Further, a traceable unit of the traceable units  104  will be explained further in conjunction with  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the tracking system  102  of  FIG. 1  for locating one or more traceable units such as traceable units  104 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The tracking system  102  includes an identification module  202 , a memory module  204 , a receiver  206 , a processing module  208 , a display module  210 , a transmitter  212 , an alarm system  214  and a control module  216 . The identification module  202  is configured to obtain unit identification information associated with the traceable units  104  during a registration stage. More specifically, during the registration stage, the tracking system  102  may read the unit identification information such as a plurality of barcode numbers corresponding to the traceable units  104 , thereby registering the traceable units  104  with the tracking system  102 . The unit identification information obtained during the registration stage hereinafter may be referred to as ‘obtained unit identification information’. The obtained unit identification information enables the tracking system  102  to communicate with the traceable units  104 . The traceable units  104  may be held by one or more objects such as human beings, animals, and so on. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the identification module  202  stores the unit identification information in a memory module, such as the memory module  204  of the tracking system  102 . The unit identification information enables the identification module  202  to identify the traceable units  104  based on the unit identification information. 
     The receiver  206  is configured to receive the unit identification information of the traceable units  104 . The unit identification information received by the receiver  206  may be hereinafter referred to as ‘received unit identification information’. The receiver  206  is further configured to receive information of spatial locations of the traceable units  104 . The information of the spatial locations and the unit identification information of the traceable units  104  are transmitted by the traceable units  104 . The information of the spatial locations of the traceable units  104  may include for example, latitudinal and longitudinal positions of an area of the locations of the traceable units  104 . 
     The processing module  208  is electronically coupled to the identification module  202  and the receiver  206 . The processing module  208  may be configured to identify the traceable units  104  based on the obtained identification information and the received identification information. For example, the processing module  208  may be configured to read a bar code number of a traceable unit, for example the traceable unit  104 , thereby enabling the tracking system  102  to identify the traceable unit  104 . The processing module  208  is further configured to determine locations of the traceable units  104  based on the information of the spatial locations of the identified traceable units  104 . 
     The display module  210  is operatively coupled to the processing module  208 . The display module  210  is capable of displaying the locations of the identified traceable units  104  determined by the processing module  208 . For instance, the display module  210  may display the locations of the traceable units  104  in a geographical map of the particular area where the traceable units  104  are located, based on the latitudinal and longitudinal locations of the traceable units  104 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the processing module  208  may be further configured to determine whether the locations of the traceable units  104  are beyond a predefined distance from the tracking system  102 . The value of the predefined distance may be stored in the memory module  204  during the registration stage. In one embodiment of the present invention, the predefined distance may be associated with the obtained unit identification information of the traceable units  104  stored in the memory module  204 . This enables the processing module  208  to identify the predefined distance associated with the obtained unit identification information of the traceable units  104 , while determining whether the locations of the traceable units  104  are beyond a predefined distance from the tracking system  102 . 
     The transmitter  212  is electronically coupled to the processing module  208  and is configured to transmit the notification information to the traceable units  104  based on the spatial locations of the traceable units  104 . More specifically, when the traceable units  104  are located beyond the predefined distance from the tracking system  102 , the processing module  208  sends notification information to the traceable units  104 . For instance, when the one or more objects holding the traceable units  104  moves beyond the predefined distance from the tracking system  102 , the tracking system  102  sends the notification information to the traceable units  104 . The notification information may be, for example, warning information sent to the traceable units  104 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the processing module  208  may initiate the tracking system  102  to generate alarm signals when the traceable units  104  are located beyond the predefined distance from the tracking system  102 . Accordingly, the alarm system  214  operatively coupled to the processing module  208  generates one or more alarm signals when the traceable units  104  are located beyond the predefined distance from the tracking system  102 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the alarm system  214  may activate one or more sound generating device such as one or more speakers for generating alarm sounds to notify the user holding the tracking system  102 . For instance, during a sports activity such as trekking, a leader guiding a trekking team may hold the tracking system  102 , and each of the team member may hold the traceable units  104 . The tracking system  102  may monitor the distance of each of the team member from the leader, and generate an alarming sound notifying the leader when a team member equipped with a traceable unit  104  has moved beyond a predefined distance from the leader. 
     It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the tracking system  102  may include any other alerting system also apart from the sound generating device. For example, the tracking system may activate multiple Light Emitting Diodes (LED&#39;s) capable of producing different colored lights for notifying the user thereof. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the tracking system  102  may be implemented as a counting device to determine whether any object from the one or more objects is missing. For instance, the tracking system  102  held by a leader of a group of tourists is used to enter the unit identification information associated with the traceable units  104  worn by the group of tourists. While entering the unit identification information, a number of tourists present in the group of tourists will be counted and stored in the tracking system  102 . Thereafter, the group of tourists may be allowed by the leader to disperse to see sights, etc. Once, the group of tourists comes back to the leader, the tracking system  102  may be used to read the unit identification information associated with the traceable units  104  worn by the group of tourists, thereby confirming whether all the tourists of the group of tourists are present. If any tourist is identified as missing, the location of a traceable unit  104  worn by the missing tourist is displayed by the display module  208 . Accordingly, the missing tourist may be located. 
     Further, the control module  216  may be adapted to control one or more operations of the tracking system  102 . The control module  216  is operatively coupled to the processing module  208 . Examples of one or more operations may include switching on/switching off the tracking system  102 , operating the display module  210 , and the like. 
     It will be evident to those skilled in the art that each of the modules of the tracking system  102  such as the identification module  202 , the memory module  204 , the processing module  208 , the display module  210 , and the control module  216  may be implemented as a hardware module, a software module, a firmware module, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the tracking system  102  may include requisite electrical or electronic connections for communicably coupling the various modules of the tracking system  102 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C, an exemplary tracking device  300  incorporating the tracking system  102  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is illustrated. The tracking device  300  includes a body  302 , a scanning unit  304 , a display unit  306 , a plurality of control buttons  308 , a fastener  310 , a grip  312 , and an alarm device  314  such as one or more speakers. The body  302  of the tracking device  300  is structured to enable a user to conveniently hold the tracking device  300 . 
     The scanning unit  304  is configured to obtain the unit identification information associated with the traceable units  104 . More specifically, the scanning unit  304  may be operatively coupled to the identification module  202  of the tracking system  102 , thereby enabling the scanning unit  304  to obtain the unit identification information. The obtained unit identification information may be stored in the memory module  204  of the tracking system  102 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the scanning unit  304  may read and store the unit identification information such as a plurality of barcode numbers, associated with traceable units  104 . The identification module  202  may store the plurality of barcode numbers in the memory module  204  of the tracking system  102 . 
     The tracking device  300  incorporating the tracking system  102  is capable of tracking the traceable units  104 . The locations of the traceable units  104  may be displayed on the display unit  306 . More specifically, the display unit  306  may be operatively coupled to the display module  210  of the tracking system  102 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the display unit  306  may display the locations of the traceable units  104  in a geographical map of an area where the traceable units  104  are located. 
     The plurality of controlling buttons  306  is adapted to assist the user in operating the tracking system  102 . More specifically, the plurality of control buttons  306  may be coupled to the control module  216 . The plurality of controlling buttons  306  may include an on/off button  316 , a back button  318 , a scan-in button  320 , an enter button  322 , a scan-out button  324 , a reset button  326 , and the like. The on/off button  316  may enable the user to switch on or switch off the tracking system  102 . The back button  318  may enable the user to move to any previous menu displayed in the display unit  306 . Further, the scan-in button  320  may enable a user to enter the unit identification information associated with the traceable units  104 . More specifically, the scan-in button  320  may be pressed to activate the scanning unit  304  for reading and storing the unit identification information associated with the traceable units  104 . Further, the enter button  322  may enable the user to enter the unit identification information into the memory of the tracking system  102 . Moreover, the scan-out button  324  may be operated for deleting the stored unit identification information. The reset button  326  may be operated to reset the tracking system  102 . 
     The fastener  310  may be coupled to the body  302  of the tracking system  102 . The fastener  310 , such as a belt clip, may be adapted to enable the user in conveniently holding the tracking system  102 . It will apparent to person skilled in the art that the fastener  310  may be any other type of fastener known in the art that may enable the user to conveniently hold the tracking system  102 . 
     The grip  312  may be disposed on the body  302  of the tracking system  102 . The grip  312  assists the user in firmly holding the tracking system  102 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the grip  312  may be composed of a rubber material. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the grip  312  may be composed of any other materials known in the art. 
     The alarm device  314  may be operatively coupled to the alarm system  214 . Accordingly, the alarm device  314  may be activated based on instructions received from the alarm system  214  of the tracking system  102 . The alarm device  314  incorporated in the tracking device  300  is shown to include one or more speakers for generating alarm sounds. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the alarm device  314  may be any other device known in the art capable of generating alarming signals, for example, a visual signal, a vibration signal and the like. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the tracking device  300  may be water-proof. Accordingly, the tracking system  300  may be utilized inside a water body for tracking the object present therein. For example, the disclosed tracking system may be utilized for tracking people during water sports, such as scuba diving. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the tracking device  300  may further include a slot (not shown) capable of receiving any power supplying source such as batteries for operation of the tracking system  102 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the tracking device  300  may be externally charged using a power source. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a block diagram of the traceable unit  104  capable of being tracked by the tracking system  102  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is illustrated. The traceable unit  104  includes a memory module  402 , a processing module  404 , a transmitter  406 , a receiver  408  and an alarm system  410 . The memory module  402  is capable of storing the unit identification information associated with the traceable unit  104 . The unit identification information enables the tracking system  102  to identify the traceable unit  104 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the unit identification information is a barcode number. 
     The processing module  404  is configured to identify a spatial location of the traceable unit  104 . Specifically, when an object holding the traceable unit  104  moves away from the tracking system  102 , the processing module  404  continuously monitors the spatial location of the traceable unit  104  to identify a spatial location of the object. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the processing module  404  may employ technology known in the art to continuously monitor the spatial location of the traceable unit  104 . 
     The transmitter  406  is electronically coupled to the processing module  404  and memory module  402 . The transmitter  406  is configured to transmit the unit identification information associated with the traceable unit  104 . The unit identifications information transmitted by the traceable unit  104  enables the tracking system  102  to identify the traceable unit  104 . The transmitter  406  is further configured to transmit information of the spatial location of the traceable unit  104  to the tracking system  102 . The information of the spatial location of the traceable unit  104  enables the tracking system  102  to determine a location of the traceable unit  104 . Accordingly, the tracking system  102  may determine a location of the object holding the traceable unit  104  based on the information of the spatial location of the traceable unit  104 . 
     The traceable unit  104  includes the receiver  408  electronically coupled to the processing module  404 . The receiver  408  is configured to receive the notification information from the tracking system  102  based on the location of the traceable unit  104 . More specifically, when the object holding the traceable unit  104  moves beyond the predefined distance from the tracking system  102 , the traceable unit  104  receives notification information from the tracking system  102 . For example, the traceable unit  104  may be held by a child and the tracking system  102  may be held by a parent of the child for monitoring the child. When the child moves beyond a certain distance preset by the parent in the tracking system, the traceable unit  104  being held by the child may receive a notification information. The notification information may notify the child he/she has moved out of the said preset distance from the parent. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the notification information may be processed to activate the alarm system  410 . The alarm system may be activated to generate one or more alarm signals based on the notification information. The notification information may indicate that the traceable unit  104  is located beyond the predefined distance from the tracking system  102  as mentioned previously. These alarm signals notifies the object holding the traceable unit  104  that the object has moved beyond the predefined distance from the tracking system  102 . 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the alarm system  410  may initiate one or more sound generating devices capable of generating the alarm signals such as the alarm sounds based on the notification information. The one or more sound generating device includes one or more speakers and the like. Other examples of the alarm signal may include, but are not limited to, a visual alarm, a vibration alarm, and the like. 
     It will be evident to those skilled in the art that each of the modules of the traceable unit  104  such as the memory module  402 , the processing module  404 , the transmitter  406 , the receiver  408  and an alarm system  410  may be implemented as a hardware module, a software module, a firmware module, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the traceable unit  104  may include requisite electrical or electronic connections for communicably coupling the various modules of the traceable unit  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary traceable device  500  incorporating the traceable unit  104  of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  is illustrated. The exemplary traceable device  500  is structured for being conveniently held, more specifically tied to the object. Various components have been described in  FIG. 4  except for the one or more sound generating devices  502  and a display section  504 . The one or more sound generating devices  502  may include speakers. 
     The display section  504  displays the unit identification information associated with the traceable unit  104 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the display section  504  may be a display slot provided on the traceable device  500 . The display slot may display a barcode number associated with the traceable unit  104 . In such an instance, the barcode number may be read and stored by the tracking system  102 . 
     The traceable device  500  further includes a strap  506 , and one or more fasteners such as a clasp  508  and a clip  510 . The strap  506  includes an adjusting means  512 , a first end portion  514  and a second end portion  516 . The adjusting means  512  enables a user to adjust a length of the strap  506  according to the user&#39;s need. In one embodiment of the present invention, the strap  506  may be water-proof. Accordingly, the traceable device  500  may be utilized by users present in a water body. For example, the disclosed traceable device  500  may be utilized by people during under water sports, like scuba diving. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the strap may be composed of any material such as a water resistant material known in the art. 
     The clasp  508  may be attached to the first end portion  514  of the strap  506  while the clip  510  may be attached to the second end portion  516  of the strap  506 . The clasp  508  and the clip  510  enable the user to hold the traceable device  500  to a body portion of the user. More specifically, the clasp  508  may be detachably coupled with the clip  510  to enable the user to wear the traceable device  500  on to a wrist of the user. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the one or more fasteners may be composed of any material known in the art. Further, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the traceable device  500  may include any other type of fasteners known in the art for assisting the user to hold the traceable device  500  to the body thereof. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart depicting a method  600  for locating one or more traceable units, for example, the traceable units  104  by a tracking system, for example, the tracking system  102 . The method  600  starts at  602 . A unit identification information associated with one or more traceable units is obtained by the tracking system  102  at  604 . Example of the unit identification information may include, but is not limited to the barcode number associated with the traceable units  104 . The tracking system  102  may receive the barcode information of the traceable units  104  by scanning the barcode number thereof. The barcode information may be stored by the tracking system  102  in the memory module  204  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     The obtained unit identification information may enable the tracking system  102  to communicably couple with the traceable units  104 . More specifically, the tracking system  102  receives an information of a spatial location of each of the traceable units  104  and unit identification information associated with the each of the traceable units  104  at  606 . 
     The tracking system  102  identifies the traceable units  104  based on the obtained unit identification information and the received identification information at  608 . More specifically, the processing module  208  ( FIG. 2 ) of the tracking system  102  compares the received identification information with the obtained identification information stored in the memory module  204 . Based on the comparison, the processing module  208  identifies the traceable units  104 . 
     Thereafter, a location of the traceable units  104  is determined by the tracking system  102  based on the information of the spatial location of the each of the traceable units  104  at  610 . The spatial location of the tracking system  102  may include the latitudinal location and the longitudinal location of the traceable units  104 . Accordingly, based on the latitudinal location, and the longitudinal location of the traceable units  104 , a geographical position of the traceable units  104  is identified. Moreover, the identified location of the traceable units  104  may be displayed on the tracking system  102 . 
     Subsequently, a notification information is transmitted to the one or more traceable unit  104  based on the determined location of the one or more traceable units  104  at  612 . More specifically, it is determined whether the determined location of the each of the traceable units  104  is beyond a predefined distance from the tracking system  102 . The predefined distance may be a permissible distance that may be maintained between the traceable units  104  and tracking system  102 . For example, the traceable unit  104  may be held by a child, and the tracking system  102  may be held by a parent. The parent may preset a distance up to which the child may move, thereby monitoring the child&#39;s activities within the said distance. Thereafter, the method terminates at  614 . 
     The tracking system, the traceable unit, and the method explained in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A,  3 B,  3 C,  4 ,  5  and  6  for locating a one or more traceable units may be advantageous to the users as the tracking system and traceable unit posses a higher response time. As a result, a child holding the traceable unit may be effectively tracked by a parent holding the tracking system. Further, the quicker response time of the tracking system and traceable unit enables the parent to locate the child within a short time period. In addition, the fasteners provided in the traceable unit are structured in manner so that when coupled to each other the fasteners may not be easily detached by children. As a result, probability of losing the traceable unit by the child may be reduced. Moreover, the tracking system and traceable unit may be water-proof, thereby enabling a usage thereof by people going for water sports for example, scuba divers, beach goers, and so on. Moreover, while swimming in the sea, a person may carry the tracking system for tracking other individuals holding the traceable unit. Additionally, the tracking system may be used as a counting device by user to determine whether any individual from a group of people engaged in various activities such as trekking, scuba diving, is missing. Further, the tracking system is capable of registering a departure and an arrival of each individual of the group of people and alerting the user if any individual is missing. In addition to the above, the tracking system is economical. Also, the tracking system has a compact structure, thereby enabling an easy portability thereof. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.