AU2004100503B4 - Mobile Phone Personal Alert Device (PAD) - Google Patents

Description

in MOBILE PHONE PERSONAL ALERT DEVICE (PAD) I Since the introduction of the mobile phone, many people have experienced the 0 mobile phone stolen. One of the attempted solutions to this problem involves having a o bulky mobile phone holding device attached to your belt. The holder contains a battery powered receiver which in turn is connected to an audible device and a visible light. A separate transmitting device is attached to the mobile phone, and once the distance between these two devices exceeds a preset distance, the alarm is triggered in the mobile phone bolder attached to the owner's belt. The system requires the batteries in both the transmitting device and the receiving device to be replaced at regular intervals as there is no provision for recharging. If the mobile phone has been stolen, the thief still has full use of the phone and could simply discard the transmitting device attached to the phone body.

The mobile phone "Personal Alert Device", hereafter referred to as PAD is a small self powered electronic device that is supplied as part of the manufacturing process of the mobile phone. The PAD has been specially devised to provide maximum security against loss or theft of a mobile phone. The PAD contains miniature electronic circuitry and is normally fitted in a purpose built socket in the housing of the mobile phone. In this position the PAD has provision to make contact with the internal circuitry of the mobile phone, and the batteries in the PAD are kept fully charged. The PAD can be withdrawn from the socket in the mobile phone, and attached to a key ring or handbag or any item normally kept with the owner. Unlike other units available on the market, both the mobile phone and the PAD contain a transmitter/receiver, and both units transmit and receive signals over a short distance at regular intervals. If no incoming signal has been received for 3 consecutive periods, an "Alert" audible signal is triggered in both the PAD and the mobile phone. If the units are not reunited in a short time the "Alert" signal changes to an "Alarm" signal in the mobile phone and the mobile phone is shut down making it useless if it has been stolen.

The PAD may be better understood with reference to the following illustrations.

Figure 1 shows the PAD. The electronic circuitry contained therein consists of a low power transmitter/receiver, a timer and counter and an audible device. It is powered by self contained rechargeable batteries.

-2- 1 The circuitry is contained in a robust tubular housing with a key ring attachment at the top 6, a reset push button switch at the bottom 5, and a number of circular contact rings around the circunmference 4. These contact rings make contact with internal o contacts in the mobile phone when the PAD is fully inserted in the mobile phone housing. These contact rings cannot be shorted out by metallic car keys etc. as they only come into operation when the PAD is inserted in the mobile phone housing and the switch 5 is fully depressed. The batteries in the PAD are also recharged from the o mobile phone battery by way of these contact rings. When the PAD is removed from 0 the mobile phone, a spring loaded flap seals the entrance to the PAD receptacle in the mobile phone to prevent entry of any foreign material.

An on/off function for the operation of the mobile phone alert and PAD can be accessed by a predetenrnined PIN number on the mobile phone key pad. When the PAD is unplugged from the mobile phone, both the mobile phone and the PAD are activated and enter the mode hereafter referred to as the" Normal Mode" whereby the PAD and the mobile phone talk to each other by way of a low power transmitter/receiver fitted within both the mobile phone and the PAD. Each matched mobile phone and PAD would operate on it's own individual frequency.

The strength of the signal need not reach a distance of more than 5 metres.

Every 2 seconds, a brief pulse signal would be transmitted from both the mobile phone and the PAD, and if both the mobile phone and the PAD receive their matched incoming signal this nonnal mode continues indefinitely. A counter is also incorporated in the circuitry of both the mobile phone and PAD. If the mobile phone becomes separated from the PAD by a distance of more than 5 metres, both the mobile phone and the PAD continue transmitting a signal every 2 seconds, but after each counter has recorded 3 consecutive periods of 2 seconds without receiving an incoming signal, the circuitry progresses to the "Alert Mode" whereby a low decibel alert signal is emitted from both the mobile phone and the PAD to alert the owner that they have become separated from their mobile phone. The audible alert in the PAD can be quickly cancelled at this point by simply pressing the push button located on the bottom of the housing This then gives the owner the opportunity to locate the mobile phone by following the low decibel alert signal being emitted from the lost mobile phone. If the mobile phone and the PAD are reunited within a period of time of less than 1 minute, both the mobile phone alert and the PAD are reset by their own circuitry and return to their nornal mode. This would be the normal case if the mobile phone was left at a restaurant table or left behind after a meeting, and the low decibel alert would not be of major concern to the public. If the period of separation of the mobile phone and the PAD exceeds 1 minute, the mobile phone then enters the next mode, herein alter called the "Mlann Mode".

o -3- 1 In the alarmn mode the alert signal in the mobile phone changes to a high decibel o alarm pitch and all services normally available to that mobile phone are deactivated.

A locking device to prevent tbe battery from being removed from the mobile phone at CC) this point may also be incorporated. Any unautborised person being in possession of o 5 the mobile phone at this time would draw unwanted attention to themselves, and o would quickly discard the mobile phone thereby giving the owner a reasonable 0 chance to hear the alarm signal and retrieve the lost mobile phone. The mobile phone would continue in the alarm mode until either: 1. The owner inserts the PAD into the receptacle of the mobile phone.

2. A predetermined PIN number is entered into the mobile phone.

3. The battery of the mobile phone becomes exhausted.

The batteries contained in the PAD would normally be recharged from the main mobile phone battery at any time when the PAD is inserted in the socket of the mobile phone. If the batteries in the PAD become low during normal use a low battery audible signal would alert the owner. A variety of alert tones and alarm tones for the mobile phone can be selected by the owner from a menu in the mobile phone.

A facility to record a personal voice message for both the alert and alarm modes is also available. An added advantage of this system is that if the PAD is attached to car keys or a handbag, the audible alert of the mobile phone would indicate to the owner that the car keys or handbag have been misplaced or stolen. In this case, if the PAD is not quickly found, the mobile phone alert alarm can be silenced by entering the predetermined pin into the mobile phone.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof Numerous variations, substitutions, timer changes and other modifications will occur, therefore, all such changes and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. A Personal Alert Device (PAD) comprising a small self powered electronic transmitter/receiver that can be separated from it's matched mobile phone which also incorporates a similar transmitter/receiver, allowing both units to "talk" to each other over a short distance.

2. A Personal Alert Device (PAD) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Personal Alert Device (PAD) unit is removeable from a purpose built socket incorporated in it's matched mobile phone.

3. A Personal Alert Device (PAD) as claimed in I and 2, wherein an "alert" signal is triggered in both the PAD and the mobile phone if both units become separated by more than a pre-determined distance.

4. A Personal Alert Device (PAD) as claimed in 1- 3; wherein the "alert" signal in the mobile phone changes to an "alarm" signal after a pre-determined time: A Personal Alert Device (PAD) substantially as herein before described with reference to figures 1 3 of the accompanying drawings. Mr Gregory Roy Hill Brisbane Road RIVERVIEW 4301 Postal Address:- Box 3t3 BOOVAL 4304 21 June 2004