WO1992009080A1

WO1992009080A1 - Recorded identification-communication device

Info

Publication number: WO1992009080A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/008538
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas J. Roose; Robert D. Roose; Michael W. Moore; Ivan D. Sarrell
Original assignee: Speak-A-Tag, Inc.
Priority date: 1990-11-14
Filing date: 1991-11-13
Publication date: 1992-05-29
Also published as: AU9062491A

Abstract

An identification-communication device (10) which serves to conveniently transmit verbal information messages in an emergency situation, where such is readily secured onto a person and/or a pet by simply carrying on a bracelet, collar, belt (12) or the like. The presented circuitry, in integrated form, is arranged to present multiple operational modes, to-wit, standby, record (26) and playback (24). Various verbal informational messages can be entered into the device for immediate retrieval when required by a particular need, e.g. the identification of a missing child, the identification of the owner of a pet, and medical instructions in the instance of communicating with a disabled person. Additionally, the verbal informational message is readily repeated and/or modified to accommodate a changing factual situation.

Description

RECORDED IDENTIFICATION-COMMUNICATION DEVICE

Background of the Invention

The invention relates to a device which can be worn on a belt, collar, bracelet or the like carried on a person or a pet, and includes a recorded audio message for identification and/or other instructional information relating to the person or pet. More particularly, the device comprises a small housing carrying a speaker for reproducing a recorded message stored in electrical circuitry mounted within the housing. A microphone, forming part of circuitry including storing, recording and reproducing means, serves to selectively record the aforesaid message.

As is known, a substantial number of children become lost, either temporarily or permanently, every year. The fear and trauma to a small child who lacks the capacity to convey identifying information may be permanent and present later problems to both the child and the parents. On the other hand, pets are also lost each year despite available tagging and like methods. Generally, most identification tags are difficult to read and, for such reason, and oftentimes, only a small percentage of lost pets are returned to their owners.

Additionally, most medical emergency bracelets worn by persons having voice debilitating illnesses, such as seizures or comas relating to epilepsy and diabetes, or those with chronic coronary problems, do not present sufficient instructional information for an individual finding such person as to illness identification, the procedure for applying aid and/or the person to contact. In all of the preceding instances, voice messages could be invaluable. Summary of the Invention

The present invention comprises an identification- communication device comprising a housing, means selectively attaching said housing to the body of a person- animal, electrical circuitry carried by said housing including electrical power supply means, speech recording and reproducing means serving to selectively receive a verbal information message and to selectively reproduce said verbal information message, memory means, means connecting said electrical power supply means to said memory means, and means transmitting digital signals representing said verbal information message from said memory means to said recording and reproducing means.

The present invention provides an identification and/or instructional device, including a prerecorded message, for sufficiently identifying and/or providing instructional information about the person or pet on whom it is carried.

The present invention further provides an identification device which may be worn by a person or pet about the wrist, neck or waist, being in the form of a small housing, in card form, adapted to be carried on a bracelet, band, belt or collar by the person or pet. The housing presents recording, storing and reproducing circuitry including microphone means for inputting a verbal information message and loudspeaker means for reproducing the message.

The circuitry also includes speech recording and reproducing circuitry, read and write memory circuitry, electrical power supply means, means for maintaining the memory in a continuous data retention or storage mode, and switch means for selectively recording and reproducing the message. Standby logic voltage and power levels are provided to the integrated circuitry.

A microphone is included in the housing and forms part of an electrical circuit energized for operation of the recording mode, and which more particularly involves a magnetic reed switch energized by movement of a magnet along the outer surface of the housing. The preceding prevents accidental and/or unintentional operation of the recording mode.

In any event, a high quality voice message of preselected duration may be recorded and reproduced, and the message stored in the memory portion of the circuitry, as desired.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a collar, band or bracelet carrying a recorded identification-communication device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the device, illustrating the housing which carries the circuitry; and,

FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration, in block form, of the electrical circuitry contained within the housing.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitations of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring now to Fig. 1, an identification collar or the like 10 may be in the form of a pet collar 12 for a dog or cat, carrying housing 14 which may be a module, in card form, removably received within a cover or the like 14a to protect the device against weather or the like. The housing 14 may include a pair of loop members 14b through which the collar 12 is inserted to achieve carrying. Housing 14, which preferably is fabricated from a plastic resin, supports a microphone 20 for inputting the verbal information message, a speaker 22 for reproducing the voice message, a play back switch 24 (preferably recessed in the surface of the housing) , a record switch 26, and a closable entry 28 for receiving an electrical power supply, such as batteries 36.

The record switch 26 and the entry 28 for the electrical power supply are typically at the bottom of the housing 14, the record switch 26 being at a location avoiding inadvertent depressing by a person who, in fact, desires to obtain other than the recorded message. As mentioned, record switch 26 is preferably a magnetically operated reed switch which satisfies the same need. The housing 14 encloses a board on which electrical circuitry is arranged.

The instant device serves audio recording and playback purposes, allowing a user to record identification and/or instructional information into digital storage, where it may be played back upon request. Playback is achieved by reproducing the recorded information through speaker 22.

As to the information, such may be recorded and then played back an unlimited number of times. Information may be changed by simply recording new information into the device. Moreover, recorded information may be maintained in storage as long as the circuitry remains energized.

In any event, circuitry operation may be characterized into a standby mode, a record mode and a playback mode. As to the former, such plays importance in periods of inactivity, serving to conserve battery power and, also, to permit circuitry operation for an extended period of time.

As to the record mode, and when the record mode switch

26 is actuated, analog input from the microphone 20 is processed by the circuitry, as to be hereinafter described, and transmitted to a speech recording/reproducing integrated circuit 30, which serves to convert analog signals to digital signals for sequential storage in memory (RAM) 32. The integrated circuit 30 requires low power requirements. The read/write stage of memory is directly controlled by the output of integrated circuit 30. When the playback mode switch 24 is actuated, the signal from memory 32 is processed by circuit 30, presenting, at the terminals of the speaker 22, a sufficient power level to drive speaker 22.

Looking now at the block diagram of Fig. 3, and when the record mode switch 26 is activated, the electrical power supply circuit applies full power to the memory 32 and the digital storage control 30, and circuitry provided to operatively connect speaker 22 through the (MIC) amplifier, whereby the speaker 22 becomes an input transducer (microphone) to accept audible information for further processing and digital recording via the digital storage control 30. Thus, the transducer serves as a microphone in the record mode and as a speaker in the playback mode. The digital (A/D) converter and associated (MIC) amplifier are also powered through the digital storage control 30.

As the digital storage control 30 is now in the proper operating mode, recording begins, where audio information passes into the (MIC) amplifier circuit for proper level amplification. The signal then passes to the (A/D) converter for conversion from analog to digital format.

The digital information passes to the digital storage control 30 where it is labeled and placed into memory 32.

When all locations in memory 32 are full, recording is halted and the electrical power supply control returns the circuitry to the standby mode.

As to playback, and upon activation of the playback mode switch 24, the electrical power supply control applies full power to memory 32, the digital storage control 30 and the audio amplifier circuitry. At the same time, the (D/A) converter and the bandpass filter are activated through the digital storage control 30. Playback begins when the mode select circuit places the digital storage control 30 into the proper operating mode. The digital storage control 30 then selects the first labeled access location in memory 32 and retrieves the stored information. The latter passes to the (D/A) converter for conversion from the digital to the analog format in circuitry including a transducer and a switch. Unwanted noise is stripped from the audio signal by a bandpass filter.

The audio signal then passes to the audio amplifier for amplification to a level suitable for output to the speaker 22 and producing sound.

Thereafter, the digital storage control 32 selects the next labeled access in memory 30 and retrieves the information, where the process is repeated until all labeled information in memory 30 has been accessed.

It should be evident from the preceding, therefore, that the recorded identification-communication device presented herein is readily adaptable for achieving the transmittal of a recorded voice information message in contrast to a computer originated voice information message, meaning more utility in a variety of factual circumstances. Moreover, the circuitry is arranged to also receive, at a local site, remote radio frequency signals, optical signals and other electromagnetic energy signals, creating playback to command message transfer from a remote location. Thus, the value of the invention is greatly enhanced.

In addition to the above, and as should be apparent, the device is concentrated into minimal space and utilizes commercially available components arranged to readily accomplish circuitry operation in the discussed standby mode, record mode and playback mode. The invention fulfills the demand for immediate identification, as a missing child and/or pet, and the provision of essential information, as, for example, medical material in the instance of a person unable to satisfactorily communicate at a time of health needs.

The recorded identification-communication device described hereabove is susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention, including, by way of example, in physical sizing to accommodate a particular condition of use; the precise manner of initiating the record mode; and, the like. Thus, the preceding should be considered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims:

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An identification-communication device comprising a housing, means selectively attaching said housing to the body of a person-animal, electrical circuitry carried by said housing including electrical power supply means, ι 5 speech recording and reproducing means serving to selectively receive a verbal information message and to selectively reproduce said verbal information message, memory means, means connecting said electrical power supply means to said memory means, and means transmitting digital

10 signals representing said verbal information message from said memory means to said recording and reproducing means.

2. The identification-communication device of Claim 1 where said speech recording and reproducing means comprises circuit means receiving electrical signals representing said verbal information message in analog

5 form, circuit means converting said electrical signals into digital signals for transmission to said memory means for storage, and circuit means converting said stored digital signals into electrical signals in analog form and reproducing said verbal information message.

3. The identification-communication device of Claim 1 where said memory means comprises random access memory.

4. The identification-communication device of Claim

1 where said electrical circuity includes a loud speaker, 5 and switch means operatively connecting said loud speaker to said speech recording and reproducing means and to said electrical power supply means and serving to convert said electrical signals into analog form for audible reproduction of said verbal information message.

5. The identification-communication device of Claim

2 where said memory means comprises random access memory.

6. The identification-communication device of Claim _j 4 where said electrical circuitry includes transducer means converting said verbal information message into input electrical signals in analog form, and means transmitting 5 said input electrical signals to said speech recording and reproducing means.

7. The identification-communication device of Claim 6 where said transducer means includes a microphone and switch means selectively connecting said microphone to said electrical power supply means.

8. The identification-communication device of Claim 4 where said signal receiving means serves as a microphone during recording and as a loudspeaker during playback.

9. The identification-communication device of Claim 2 where said circuit means is arranged to selectively accept remote radio frequency signals, optical signals and other electromagnetic energy signals and create playback to command message transfer from a remote location.

10. The identification-communication device of Claim 1 where said electrical circuity is in the configuration of a relatively thin flat package in card form arranged to transmit a recorded voice information message in contrast to a computer originated voice information message.