Optimal tracking Icare monitoring system User manual

Optimal Tracking Icare User Manual
page 1
CONTENTS
1 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS….….………..... 2
2 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY & GUARANTEE....4
3 PRESENTATION….……...…….…………………….…...… 6
4 THE VARIOUS USES OF ICARE….………………...……. 7
5 OPERATING PRINCIPLE…….………...…………………. 9
6 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR USES……………………………. 11
7 USING THE RECEIVER………..……………………..…… 15
8 USING THE TRANSMITTER………………..……………..40
9 CONNECTING TO A COMPUTER…...…………………...45
10 APPENDICES………………………...………….…………... 52
11 DETAILED SUMMARY………………...…...……………... 54

Optimal Tracking Icare User Manual
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1 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Before using Icare, please read the following safety instructions:
The Icare system is no substitute for common sense and personal responsibility.
Its purpose is also not to be a substitute for the vigilance of parents and/or caretakers.
Consequently, even when using the Icare system, you should continue to:
 visually supervise your children.
 stay next to them if there is a body of water nearby.
Optimal Tracking accepts no liability for any direct or indirect harm, injury, drowning,
kidnapping, disappearance, or death of any individual, animal, or object.
Do not modify the strap closure system for the child version transmitter.
The strap closure system is designed to prevent strangulation if the transmitter wearer
becomes suspended by the strap. Any significant tension on the strap will cause the closure to
open.
Do not handle the Icare system while driving.
Park your vehicle before using the system.
Turn Icare off while on airplanes.
Icare can create interference for the airplanes electronic systems.
Turn Icare off when near any electronic medical equipment.
Electronic medical equipment is sensitive to radio waves.
Specific regulations
Comply with all specific regulations in effect wherever you are located. Make sure that the
use of Icare there is not prohibited.
Water-resistance
Only the Icare transmitter is water-resistant (splash-proof and resistant to short term surface
immersion in water). Keep the receiver dry.
Charging the batteries
Use only the supplied charger Ref. No. GFP051T-0510 equipped with the Icare connector
to recharge the transmitter and receiver batteries. Follow the connection instructions supplied
(see pages 15 and 40)
Opening the product
The Icare receiver and transmitter should not be opened, because any improper handling
could cause the battery to explode or any other hazard. Consequently, only an approved
technician may open the transmitter or receiver.

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Do not incinerate the device or use it in areas presenting risks of explosion.
The battery could explode.
Do not dispose of the device just anywhere.
If you wish to dispose of the device, you must:
 return it to your retailer, or
 drop it off at a waste-collection site, or
 return it to Optimal Tracking

Optimal Tracking Icare User Manual
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2 DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY AND GUARANTEE
Declaration of conformity
We, Optimal Tracking, hereby declare under our sole responsibility that the Icare product conforms to the
following European standards:
Radio: EN 300 220-2 (V2.1.2)
Radio: EN 300 440-2 (V1.2.2)
E.M.C.: EN 301 489-3 (V1.4.1)
Electrical safety: EN 60950-1 (2006)
Health: EN 50371 (2002)
The radio receiver falls under Class 2 according to the EN 300 220-2 standard.
Conformity tests and reports were made by the following organization:
EMITECH
ZI Angers Beaucouzé
15 rue de la claie
49070 BEAUCOUZE - FRANCE
Tel. : [phone]
www.emitech.fr
Guarantee
The term, “Product,” refers to all products made by Optimal Tracking described in this document.
Optimal Tracking guarantees the Product against any material or construction defects under normal operating
conditions, for a period of 1 year starting from the date of purchase. The original purchase invoice or register
receipt, indicating the Product purchase date, constitutes proof of purchase date. All software supplied with the
Product, including firmware, are supplied “as-is.” Optimal Tracking does not guarantee that the function of these
software programs will be uninterrupted or free from errors, or that these software programs will meet your
needs.
If you make a claim under this Guarantee, Optimal Tracking may, at its discretion, repair or replace all or part of
the defective Product covered by the Guarantee with new or refurbished products or parts. If Optimal Tracking
decides to use refurbished parts or products, these will have the same characteristics or performance as new
products.
All parts removed or products replaced under the Guarantee become the property of Optimal Tracking.
This Guarantee does not apply:
 if the Product was damaged or rendered defective following a use of the Product not compliant with the
use for which it was designed, particularly including use not compliant with the user manual supplied
with the Product, or any other misuse or negligence by the Product user.
 if the Product was modified, notably through the use of products not manufactured or sold by Optimal
Tracking
 if the Product was repaired by someone not affiliated with Optimal Tracking, or a service provider
approved by Optimal Tracking.
 in the event an inappropriate shipping method or packaging is used when returning the Product to
Optimal Tracking or to a service provider approved by Optimal Tracking.

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 to lost or damaged software, data, or removable storage media. Optimal Tracking may decide to replace
the Product sent in under the guarantee with a refurbished product of the same quality, resulting in your
inability to access the data stored in your original Product.
OPTIMAL TRACKING EXCLUDES ANY OTHER GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLICIT, AND
NOTABLY ANY IMPLICIT GUARANTEE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR SUITABILITY FOR A
PARTICULAR USE. IN NO CASE MAY OPTIMAL TRACKING BE HELD LIABLE FOR PARTICULAR
OR INDIRECT ANCILLARY DAMAGES, NOTABLY LOSS OF INCOME, PROFIT, OR DATA, OR
PERIODS OF IMMOBILIZATION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE REQUEST FOR LIABILITY IS
CONTRACTUAL, CRIMINAL, OR FOUNDED ON A GUARANTEE, IF IT IS FOUNDED ON THE USE OF
FUNCTION OF THE PRODUCT OR ANY SOFTWARE SUPPLIED BY OPTIMAL TRACKING WITH THE
PRODUCT, EVEN IF OPTIMAL TRACKING HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES.
By making a claim under this Guarantee, you acknowledge that the distribution and, depending on availability,
the replacement of the Product in accordance with and within the limits of this Guarantee, constitute your sole
and unique recourse with regard to Optimal Tracking under this Guarantee in the event of a defect of the Product
covered by this Guarantee.
Optimal Tracking
360 chemin de Pauli
13760 Saint Cannat - France
Tel: [phone]
www.optimaltracking.com
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Optimal Tracking reserves the
right to change or improve its products and to make modifications to this content without prior warning. To get
the latest updates of this document, please refer to www.optimaltracking.com.
The brand names mentioned in this manual are the property of their owners.
Manual version V1.00 ENG. June 2011

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3 PRESENTATION

Optimal Tracking Icare User Manual
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4 THE VARIOUS USES OF ICARE
Monitor or find your children, animals, etc.
Icare enables you at any time to find out the geographic location of your child or animal and
display it on the receiver screen. Thanks to the direction and distance indicator, you can
immediately find the person or animal wearing the transmitter.
You can quickly set up one or more alarms, informing you:
 that the child or animal is too far from you.
 that they are in an off-limits area.
 that they are close to a hazard.
If the child feels in danger, they can send you a distress message, just by pressing the single
button on the transmitter.
The receiver can simultaneously track up to 100 transmitters.
Monitoring around a body of water
In the event the transmitter is immersed in water, a “drowning” message is sent to the receiver.
Therefore, you can immediately go to the rescue of the drowning person.
Prepare your trips on your computer
You can prepare your trips on your computer and load them into Icare. Once out in the field,
you can follow the trajectories loaded and find your way easily.
You can view the profile of your trip and have access to all sorts of statistics as you move
around.
To go back, you can follow your old path that has been recorded, by retracing your steps in
the opposite direction.
View your trajectories in 3-D at the end of the day
Throughout the day, the receiver records its trajectory as well as the transmitters’ trajectories.
At the end of the day, you can use Google Earth to view in 3-D your trajectory, whether on
foot, cycling, skiing, boating, ultralighting etc. Throughout the trajectory, everything is
indicated, altitude, speeds, time, etc.

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Track model aircraft, paragliders, hot-air balloons, etc.
At any time, you can locate your model aircraft or friend in a paraglider, hot-air balloon, etc.
in real time. Their 3-D trajectory is recorded and you can find them instantaneously. Due to a
lack of obstacles between the transmitter and receiver during flight, the transmitter range is
greater than 10 kilometers.
Track the location of canoes, sailboats, etc.
You can track the position of a group of canoes, sailboats, pedal boats, etc. and make sure
they do not go too far.
Direct tracking on Google Earth
Connect the receiver to your computer and you can track the movement of all your
transmitters direct on Google Earth.
Alert in the event of the theft of a car, boat, etc.
Place a transmitter in your vehicle and trigger an alarm if the vehicle is moved. In this case,
you will receive an alarm message on the receiver.
And many more uses…
Finding your car in a parking lot by recording its position, etc.

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5 OPERATING PRINCIPLE

Regular position
updates
 SOS
 Drowning alert
 Etc.

Transmitter position
display
 Alerts
 Etc.

View on
GoogleEarth
 Loading maps
Receiver
Transmitter
position
sent by
radio
optional
USB cable
Operating Diagram
GPS signals
GPS satellites

Optimal Tracking Icare User Manual
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 The receiver and transmitter each have a GPS receiver which enables them to
determine their geographic position.
 Approximately every 30 seconds, the transmitter sends a radio message to the receiver.
This message contains the transmitter’s geographic position.
 The receiver displays the positions of every transmitter.
 Various alarms enable optimal transmitter monitoring (SOS, drowning, off-limits,
etc.).
 The receiver can be connected to a computer in order to display real-time transmitter
positions and movements on Google Earth on the computer screen.
Icare’s main features
 Viewing the geographic position of transmitters, on the receiver display screen.
 Viewing the distance and direction of a transmitter from the receiver.
 Viewing over 100 transmitters simultaneously.
 On unobstructed terrain, the receiver can locate all transmitters within a 3 kilometer
radius. Various obstructions (buildings, houses, hills, etc.) can reduce this radius.
 Orientation of display based on orientation of the receiver with regard to North.
 Highly-sensitive GPS capable of operating in difficult environments (forest, city,
inside some buildings, etc.).
 6 different operating modes.
 Map display.
 Creating points, lines, or polygons by moving about over the land.
 Creating points, lines, or polygons on Google Earth or other software.
 Real-time viewing of receiver and transmitters on Google Earth, in addition to their
trajectories.
 Creating off-limits areas and activating alarms if the transmitter enters them.
 Recording receiver and transmitter trajectories.
 Transmitter drowning detection.
 Sending SOS messages from the transmitter.
 Nighttime flashlight.
 Route tracking.
 Reaching a saved point.
 “See and go” feature for aiming at a point and moving in its direction.
 Detailed transmitter tracking (battery, altitude, speed, etc.).
 Display of all receiver parameters (altitude, speed, trajectory, altitude changes,
trajectory profile, etc.).
 Language selection.
 Unit of measurement system selection.
 Backing up maps and trajectories to a computer.
 Adjustable transmitter strap with anti-strangle system.

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6 TIPS AND TRICKS FOR USE
Starting both units
After starting both units, it is necessary to wait until they receive information from the GPS
satellites and calculate their position. This takes 1-3 minutes, depending on the view of the
sky the units have. Ideally, they should be laid flat, outside, for 3 minutes, with a clear view
of the sky.
How to hold the receiver
During all navigation operations, the receiver
must be held horizontally so that the compass
can precisely orient the receiver with regard to
North.
But, if the transmitter is far away or obstructed
(buildings, hills, etc.), it is recommended to hold
the receiver as high as possible with the antenna
vertical until you receive a position message
from the transmitter (signaled by a short beep
on the receiver). This improves reception.
Also in the case of a distant transmitter, in
search transmitter mode, two seconds before
receiving a message from the transmitter, the
receiver vibrates and an icon tells the user to
maintain hold the device up high, with the
antenna vertical, for 5 seconds. After 5 seconds,
you can return to a normal position.

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Where to place the transmitter
For children, the transmitter was designed to be worn around the neck, with the front side
(containing the activation button) away from the body. Clothing over the transmitter will not
interfere with operation. The transmitter can also be placed in a pocket, as long as the front
side is not facing the body. It can also be placed in a bag.
For dogs, the transmitter is attached to a
harness in order to remain on the dog’s back
and enable proper GPS and radio operation.
Gg
Increasing system range
When the transmitter is far away or there are obstructions between
the transmitter and receiver, it is recommended to move to a high,
unobstructed location in order to better receive the position
message from the transmitter.
For aeromodelling, just
avoid to cover the
transmitter with a metal
or carbon part.

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Position precision
The precision of positions calculated by GPS is generally between 10 and 20 meters (it can be
degraded in difficult environments such as forests, cities, inside buildings, etc.).
Consequently, when you are around twenty meters from the transmitter, continue the search
by looking around you.
Using multiple transmitters simultaneously
Each transmitter has a transmission channel.There are 111 possible channels. Each
transmitter is factory configured to a channel based on its serial number. Multiple transmitters
can operate simultaneously without interference as long as they are on different channels. If
not, the channel can be changed (see page 44).
Monitoring a child near a body of water
When a child falls in the water, a “drowning” message is sent to the receiver. But if the child
sinks quickly, the transmitter's range is severely reduced, since water muffles radio waves.
Therefore it is recommended to set a no news for 30 seconds alarm. This way, if no message
is received for 30 seconds, the alarm is sent because the child may have fallen in the water.
The combination of a “drowning” alarm and a no news for…alarm enhances system safety
and makes it possible to intervene quickly.
Recalibrating the compass
The earth’s magnetic field varies depending on the location and environment. Therefore, it is
recommended to recalibrate the compass from time to time. A message is sent when
recalibration is desirable. To recalibrate, see page 36.
Compass behavior depending on speed
At low speeds (under 10 km/h), for all display modes using the compass, the onscreen display
depends on the receiver orientation. The top of the screen corresponds to what is in front of
the receiver, the compass heading icon is .
Beyond this speed, the display is oriented depending on the direction you are moving. The top
of the screen corresponds to where you are heading, the compass heading icon is .
At low speeds, if the receiver is not horizontal, the icon replaces the heading indication in
the lower icon bar in order to alarm you to keep the receiver horizontal.
Deactivating the “drowning” detector.
If the transmitter wearer is in no risk of going into water, it is possible to deactivate the
drowning detection on their transmitter (see page 44).

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Retracing your steps on a trip
To retrace your steps in the opposite direction:
 Save your trajectory in a map (see page 35).
 Activate follow a route mode and select the trajectory saved in the opposite direction.
 Follow the broken arrow indicating the direction to take and the course deviation (see
page 20).
Finding your vehicle in a parking lot
To be sure of finding your vehicle in a parking lot:
 Before you leave your vehicle, save your position on a map (see page 29).
 Activate reach a point mode and select the saved point.

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7 USING THE RECEIVER
First use
Fully charge the receiver (see page 15) before using it for the first time.
 Start the receiver (press the thumb wheel for 1 second).
 Select the menu language (see page 17).
 Initializing position, compass, and time.
o Place the receiver outside for a few minutes, with a clear view of the sky, so
the receiver can determine its GPS position.
o Once the position is determined, the compass calibration menu displays.
o Keep the receiver horizontal, click, and then turn around for about 4 rotations
over 20 seconds while keeping the device horizontal. The compass is now
calibrated (see page 36).
o Set the time in settings/UTC time diff. by defining the time difference with
regard to UTC (time difference defined in hours.hundredths of hours) (see
page 37).
Recharging the battery
Connect the charger to a 110 or 220 volt outlet (50/60 Hz)
Connect the charger jack as indicated in the photo to the
right. You can charge the transmitter and receiver at the
same time.
Receiver in standby mode
 maximum charge time: around 3 hours.
 charging: the LED flashes every 2 seconds.
 charged: the LED flashes 2 times a second.
Receiver in active mode
 slower charging.
 charge indicated by an onscreen icon (see page 23).
Battery life for a fully-charged receiver is around 14 hours (at 20°C) .
Due to the magnetic field created by the charger, the heading calculated by the compass may
be distorted during charging.

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Startup and shutoff
To start the receiver, press the thumb wheel for 1 second.
Before using the receiver in navigation mode, place it outside, horizontally, with a clear view
of the sky for 1-3 minutes so that it can determine its position. At least 3 green bars means
that the GPS position has been determined.
 blue bars: number of satellites being acquired, position unknown.
 green bars: number of satellites used to calculate position.
 3 green bars: 3 satellites used, 2-D position, altitude is unknown.
 4 or 5 green bars: at least 4 satellites used to calculate position.
The receiver can be used without GPS reception. In this case, the last known position is used.
Certain features are then inactive.
To search for a transmitter or point or follow a trajectory, it is necessary to have GPS
reception, i.e., at least 3 green bars.
To place the receiver on stand-by, press the thumb wheel for 3 seconds.
Using the thumb wheel
There are 5 possible actions on the thumb wheel:
 click:
 confirms the choice under the cursor.
 displays the main menu.
 up all the way:
 fast zoom in.
 moves cursor upward quickly.
 partially-upward:
 slow zoom in.
 moves cursor upward slowly.
 down all the way:
 fast zoom out.
 moves cursor downward quickly.
 partially-downward:
 slow zoom out.
 moves cursor downward slowly.
Rebooting the receiver
If the receiver is no longer responding, press
on the reset button with a fine point to reboot
the receiver.
Note, rebooting erases the entire memory
(maps, alarms, trajectories, etc.).
down all the way
partially upward
partially dowward
up all the way
click
thumb
wheel

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Language selection
The receiver is factory-configured in English. To change the language:
 Click to display the Main menu in English.
 Move the cursor to settings.
 Click to display the settings menu.
 Move the cursor to language.
 Click as many times as necessary to display the desired language.
Manipulations
Displaying the main menu
If the menu is not displayed, click to display the
main menu.
Browsing menus
Move the thumbwheel upward or downward in
order to move the cursor more or less quickly.
Click on previous to return to the previous menu.
Click on exit to close all menus.
Erasing information messages
Information messages display in small
information windows:
Click to erase the oldest of all the messages.
Erasing all messages erases the information
window.
Stopping sound messages
Click to stop all sound messages.
Zoom
If there are no menus displayed, the thumb wheel can be used to zoom on the display:
 Thumb wheel upward: zoom in on the zone displayed.
 Thumb wheel downward: zoom out on the zone displayed.
Receiving a message from a transmitter
Each time a position message is received from a transmitter, a brief sound is emitted by the
receiver.
The reception icon blinks for a few seconds and indicates reception quality (from 0 to 5).

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The 6 operating modes
The mode menu lets you select one of 6 operating modes.
1-Search transmitter mode
Select the transmitter to search for. The search screen displays.
Hold the device horizontally for proper compass operation.
 Arrow and distance: indicate the transmitter distance and direction from you, which
lets you find the transmitter wearer instantaneously.
 Position age: indicates how much time has elapsed since the transmitter was in this
position. The transmitter sends a position message approximately every 30 seconds.
The position displayed corresponds to the last position message received containing a
valid GPS position.
 Remaining power: indicates the transmitter’s remaining battery life.
 Uncertainty circle: limit of the probable location zone for the transmitter at the time
the position message is received. The weaker the GPS signal, the greater the
uncertainty zone.
 Checkered flag: points to the transmitter you are searching for.
 Icon representing the transmitter:
o fixed: means the transmitter position is precise.
o fixed: transmitter position unknown, insufficient GPS reception.
o flashing alternately: transmitter position known but not very precise.
o flashing: alarms from the transmitter (see page 32).
…
…
ancienneté de la position
uncertainty circle
remaining power
position age
message imminent

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If the transmitter is far off, or if the surrounding terrain is somewhat obstructed (buildings,
hills, etc.), it is recommended to hold the receiver high up and vertical when sending the
transmitter position message, in order to increase system range. Two seconds before receiving
a message from the transmitter, the receiver vibrates and an icon tells the user to maintain
hold the device up high, with the antenna vertical, for 5 seconds. After 5 seconds, you can
return to a normal position.
If the automatic centring option is activated (settings/centring menu), the zoom is
constantly adjusted so the transmitter can appear onscreen. This option can be deactivated.
2-Reach a point mode
Select the map where the point to reach is
saved.
Select the point to be reached.
The search screen displays.
Hold the device horizontally for proper
compass operation.
 Arrow and distance: indicate the
direction and distance of the point to be
reached from you.
 Checkered flag: points to the point to
be reached.
If the automatic centring option is activated
(settings/centring menu), the zoom is
constantly adjusted so the point to be reached
can appear onscreen. This option can be
deactivated.