The SPOT is a small, rugged, satellite-based personal messenger and GPS tracking device. It contains a GPS receiver and internal antenna and transmitter. The SPOT enables users to send its GPS location and a preconfigured message using the Globalstar satellite system's simplex data network to designated recipients. Recipients will receive an e-mail message and/or a text message on a mobile phone. Delivery options, e-mail addresses, and mobile phone numbers are configured on the user's account at the SPOT Web site (http://www.findmespot.com). Each message contains the GPS location with a link to Google Maps displaying the location (figure 2).

The SPOT device provides one-way communication only. Messages are sent from the device to user accounts. The device cannot receive messages. Additionally, there is no way to know for certain that messages have been successfully transmitted. The device sends redundant messages to improve the likelihood that messages are sent successfully.

The SPOT device is waterproof, rugged, and self-contained. It is 4.38 inches long by 2.75 inches wide by 1.75 inches thick and weighs about 8 ounces. It runs off two AA 1.5-volt lithium batteries for about 14 days when it is in the tracking mode or it can send about 1,900 check-in messages.

The SPOT device uses the simplex (or one-way) frequency of the Globalstar network to transmit messages. The duplex (two-way) frequency used by Globalstar's phone/data service has experienced problems over the past few years because some of the electronics in the satellites have degraded. This problem has not affected the simplex frequency.

Figure 2—Anyone with access to a user's account can see where the user is on a
Google map. Accounts can also be set up to send e-mail or text messages that
include a link to Google Maps.

The SPOT device has four reporting methods:

• Alert 911—When the Alert 911 feature is activated during emergencies, the device will determine its location and send the coordinates along with an Alert 911 distress message every 5 minutes to the GEOS International Emergency Response Center. The center notifies local emergency responders based on the user's coordinates and personal information stored in the user's account. The center also notifies user-defined emergency contacts that it has received a distress signal. The user must press and hold the 911 button for 2 seconds to activate the Alert 911 feature. This requirement helps prevent accidental activations. The device keeps sending Alert 911 distress messages until the unit is powered off, the battery is depleted, or the Alert 911 distress message is canceled. An indicator light blinks green every 3 seconds when the Alert 911 feature has been activated and stays green for 5 seconds when a message is being sent. The Alert 911 distress message can be canceled by holding the 911 button for 3 seconds. The indicator light blinks red, then stays red for 5 seconds while the cancel message is being sent.
  
  
• HELP—The HELP feature can be used when help is needed but the situation is not life threatening (figure 3). When the HELP feature is activated, the device determines its location and sends the coordinates along with a preconfigured message to a list of contacts. Messages are received by e-mail and/or a simple message system text message on a mobile phone. Up to 10 different e-mail accounts or mobile phones can be configured to receive the HELP message. E-mail and mobile phone accounts are configured in the user's account on the SPOT Web site. The device will send the HELP message and location every 5 minutes for 1 hour. The user must press and hold the HELP button for 2 seconds to activate the HELP feature. This requirement helps prevent accidental activations (figure 3).
  
  
• Check-In—The check-in feature is used to notify user contacts that all is well. When activated, the device will acquire its GPS location and send the location and a preconfigured message to a list of contacts (figure 3). The contact receives an e-mail message or a text message on a mobile phone. Up to 10 different e-mail or mobile phone accounts can be set up to receive the message. The SPOT device will send three redundant messages to help ensure that a message is received by the satellite and transmitted. Only one of the messages will be sent to the e-mail addresses or mobile phones.
  
  
• Tracking—When the tracking feature is activated, the SPOT device sends its coordinates to the user's account every 10 minutes. Anyone with access to the account can view the route and progress on Google Maps (figure 4).

Figure 3—In this case, field employees were testing the HELP feature in Alaska.
When the HELP feature is initiated, messages are sent every 5 minutes for 1 hour.

Figure 4—When the tracking feature is initiated, the SPOT will send its GPS location
every 10 minutes. Anyone with access to the account can track the progress of the unit.

The SPOT device costs about $150. SPOT Inc. provides a two-tiered subscription for airtime. The first tier, which is mandatory, provides the Alert 911, HELP, and unlimited check-in message features for $100 per year. The tracking feature can be added for $50.

SPOT Web site—Users set up their accounts, configure messages, and view messages and GPS location data on the SPOT Web site (http://www.findmespot.com). Users must set up an account name and password to enter this section of the Web site.

The Web site has four main tabs:

• Messengers Tab—The messengers tab displays the messengers registered in your account. It also displays the message profile assigned to each messenger. The message profile contains the e-mail addresses, mobile phone numbers, and emergency contact information for each SPOT device in your account.
  
  
• Message Tab—The message tab allows you to see your message history for all messengers in your account. The date and time of messages, the type of message, and location (where applicable) are included. You can view selected messages on Google Maps within the message tab. User can also export messages in GPS exchange (GPX), comma separated value (CSV), or Keyhole Markup Language (KML) formats.
  
  
• Account Tab—The account tab contains the customer identification, login information, billing information, and other preferences.
  
  
• Share Tab—The share tab allows users to show their messages and locations to others by creating a SPOT shared page. Anyone with the link to the shared page can see selected messages online. The shared page can be public or password protected. The account manager can create and delete pages and select information that is shown. Up to 10 different SPOT shared pages can be created, showing different information to different people.