Patent ID: 8086250

Claim:
A method of 2-way data and voice communication with a user utilizing a portable device having a cellular transceiver module, a GPS module and an emergency call button comprising the steps of: a) determining whether said portable device is in proximity of said base station; b) powering down said GPS module, placing the portable device into sleep mode and sending a signal to the base station indicating that said portable device is in proximity of the base station when the portable device is in proximity to the base station; c) activating and fully powering said cellular transceiver module and activating and fully powering said GPS module when said portable device is not in proximity of said base station and further comprising the steps of: i) collecting initial GPS location data from said GPS module and storing said location data into a memory location; and ii) placing the GPS module into a lower power mode and, at specified intervals, fully powering said GPS module and acquiring and storing additional GPS location data, said fully powering said GPS module occurring only at said specified intervals to conserve battery life while monitoring said cellular transceiver module for inquiries from a back end system for location data and monitoring said emergency call button for an emergency signal further comprising the steps of: initiating a location request by a remote caregiver via the internet; initiating a database lookup based upon a user ID and password entered by said caregiver; providing the caregiver an “at home” indication if the portable device is in proximity to the base station; providing the caregiver the current GPS location of the user if available, cell tower triangulation data if a current GPS location is not available; and providing the caregiver the last known location from said memory location if a current location is not available.