Patent ID: 8570168

Claim:
An interrogator device that monitors at least one object, the device comprising: a sensor that detects when a trigger event occurs, by detecting when a power output measured at a vehicle power port by a pluggable device inserted into the power port exceeds a threshold value ranging between approximately 12.0 V and 14.6 V, and when the power output at the vehicle power port exceeds the threshold value, the sensor sends a signal to initialize interrogation for the at least one object to determine whether the at least one object is within a detectable range of the interrogator device; a controller that, when the at least one object is outside the detectable range of the interrogator device, generates a notification; and wherein the interrogator device is constructed and arranged to store identifying data for the at least one object to determine when the at least one object is within the detectable range of the interrogator device; wherein the sensor comprises a filter that requires a minimum time period of the power output falling below the threshold value to be considered a second trigger event.