EP0089667A1 - Appareil pour retrouver des articles perdus - Google Patents

Appareil pour retrouver des articles perdus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0089667A1
EP0089667A1 EP83102790A EP83102790A EP0089667A1 EP 0089667 A1 EP0089667 A1 EP 0089667A1 EP 83102790 A EP83102790 A EP 83102790A EP 83102790 A EP83102790 A EP 83102790A EP 0089667 A1 EP0089667 A1 EP 0089667A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signal
transmitter
receiving unit
article
perceptible
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP83102790A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas William Nyiri
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0089667A1 publication Critical patent/EP0089667A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/18—Status alarms
    • G08B21/24—Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Definitions

  • an apparatus for locating small articles such as key rings, key chains, wallets, etc. that have been lost or misplaced, especially within a home, office or the like comprises a transmitter and at least one receiving unit.
  • the transmitter is capable of broadcasting an electromagnetic signal receivable by the receiving unit.
  • the transmitter signal is sufficiently strong to reach a receiving unit in the same room as the transmitter and preferably anywhere within a home or office.
  • the receiving unit comprises means for receiving the transmitted signal and emitting a perceptible signal in response to the transmitted signal.
  • the perceptible signal is either audible or visible. Audible signals are preferred.
  • the receiving unit further comprises a housing that is attachable to the article or capable of being incorporated in the article.
  • the housing, and therefore the receiving unit is sufficiently small that when attached to the article, it does not significantly alter the nature of the article, i.e., it does not alter the characteristics of the article to such an extent that attachment of the receiving unit to the article is deemed undesirable or detrimental by the user of the article.
  • the transmitter is activated.
  • the receiving unit attached to the small article emits a perceptible signal.
  • the user of the article may then locate the article by locating the source of the perceptible signal.
  • an apparatus for locating small articles capable of being easily misplaced.
  • the invention is particularly applicable to articles such as key chains and key rings. Additional articles that are applicable include wallets, purses, hand tools, hand calculators and small containers such as medicine bottles and the like.
  • the apparatus comprises a transmitter and a receiving unit capable of being associated with the article.
  • the transmitter may be stationary or portable and may be powered by an electrical outlet or batteries.
  • the transmitter may be of any conventional design capable of sending an electromagnetic receivable first signal.
  • the transmitter emits a radio signal.
  • the receiving unit comprises a housing that is attachable to the article or capable of being incorporated in the article.
  • the receiving unit comprises means, within the housing, for receiving the first signal from the transmitter and then emitting a perceptible second signal, thus alerting a searcher to the location of the article.
  • the receiving unit is powered by batteries incorporated within the housing.
  • detectable signal refers to a signal capable of being perceived or detected by a person without the use of an auxiliary apparatus or device. Typically the detectable signal will be audible or visible. It is presently preferred that the signal be audible.
  • the receiving unit comprises a housing that is rugged, compact, and lightweight.
  • the size and shape of the receiving unit may vary according to the application. The size, however, is sufficiently small to be incorporated in or on the article or attached thereto without significantly altering the nature of the article.
  • a receiving unit that is attached to a key ring must be sufficiently small and lightweight so that the overall volume and weight of the key ring is not increased by the receiving unit to such an extent to inconvenience the user. This may occur if the key chain becomes too bulky or heavy to be carried comfortably, for example, in the pocket of a pair of pants or in a small purse.
  • the receiving unit further comprises means for being attached to said article.
  • a receiving unit capable of attachment to a key ring or key chain may have a hole through the housing through which the key ring or key chain may pass.
  • FIG. 1 A presently preferred embodiment of a transmitter applicable to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.
  • the transmitter is preferably portable and powered by small, lightweight batteries. However, stationary transmitters powered by AC source are also applicable.
  • the transmitter is of conventional design for broadcasting a modulated radio signal within a limited area.
  • the transmitter comprises a switch 1 for activating the transmitter and generating the signal to be broadcast.
  • Conventional switches such as push button switches are suitable.
  • a variable activation timing mechanism 2 is incorporated so that the signal can be transmitted for a selected period of time, typically from about 1 to about 5 minutes.
  • the radio frequency carrier wave is generated in the transmiter section 3 by a conventional single-chip radio frequency device. It is preferred that the transmitter operate in the amateur radio frequencies authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), such as from 28.00 MHz to 29.70 MHz or from 50.00 MHz to 54.00 MHz.
  • FCC Federal Communications Commission
  • An encoder 4 comprises a digital modulator for pulse-duration modulation of a radio frequency carrier wave.
  • the carrier wave is modulated to prevent false triggering of the receiving unit.
  • Analog-type modulators for tone modulation are also suitable.
  • the transmitter also comprises a power amplifier 5 to assure adequate range is attained.
  • the preferred range enables a stationary transmitter at a select location in a house, office, apartment, etc. to transmit a signal capable of being received by the receiving unit anywhere in the enclosure defining the house, etc.
  • a single-stage class C RF amplifier is presently preferred.
  • the transmitter signal is radiated into the space by means of a conventional antenna 6.
  • a presently preferred embodiment of a receiving unit applicable to the present invention comprises a receiving unit capable of receiving the transmitter signal.
  • an antenna 7 incorporated into the housing of the receiving unit receives the signal which is then split into two components by a passive tuned circuit 8, i.e., a circuit responsive to the transmitted signal frequency.
  • a passive tuned circuit 8 i.e., a circuit responsive to the transmitted signal frequency.
  • One component of the signal passes to a detector/switch section 9.
  • the remaining signal component passes to a receiving unit section 11.
  • the detector/switch section 9 consists of a silicon diode having a very slight DC forward bias applied and an FET switching device. This means that the amount of current drawn by the the receiving unit in the passive state is only a few microamps.
  • the signal is supplied by the tuned circuit 8
  • the detected output from the diode is used to operate an FET switch, thereby supplying power from a power source 10 to the remainder of the receiving unit. Power is supplied by small, lightweight calculator or watch batteries.
  • the receiving unit section 11 is of conventional design and'mixes the carrier frequency down to an intermediate frequency.
  • the modulated frequency is then amplified by an intermediate frequency amplifier tuned to the intermediate frequency and then demodulates the encoded signal.
  • the demodulated signal passes to a decoder 12 which recovers the signal that the transmitter encoded.
  • the decoder does not emit an output signal until the proper encoded signal is received.
  • the decoder emits a signal which is amplified by an amplifier 13.
  • the amplified signal from the gain block then activates a piezoelectric sounding device 14 which emits an audible signal.
  • the receiving unit also comprises means for manually deactivating the signal from the receiving unit, e.g., on-off switch 15, once the receiving unit is located to increase the lifetime of the batteries.
  • a particularly preferred embodiment according to principles of the present invention for use in a house, office or the like comprises a transmitter capable of sending a select number of signals.
  • Each transmitter signal is,keyed to a separate receiving unit, i.e., each receiving unit is tuned to receive a specific signal transmitted by the transmitter.
  • the strength of each transmitter signal is at least sufficient to activate the receiving unit keyed to that radio signal if located in the same room as the transmitter.
  • the strength of the signal is sufficient to activate the corresponding receiving unit anywhere in the house or office.
  • the receiving unit emits a perceptible signal for up to a select period of time as determined by the duration of the transmitter signal. If the article to which the receiving unit is attached or incorporated is located within this time period, the signal may be turned off by an on-off button or switch on the receiving unit. If the article is not located within the time period, the signal automatically terminates to thereby extend the life of the batteries.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
EP83102790A 1982-03-22 1983-03-21 Appareil pour retrouver des articles perdus Withdrawn EP0089667A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US36061982A 1982-03-22 1982-03-22
US360619 1982-03-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0089667A1 true EP0089667A1 (fr) 1983-09-28

Family

ID=23418768

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83102790A Withdrawn EP0089667A1 (fr) 1982-03-22 1983-03-21 Appareil pour retrouver des articles perdus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0089667A1 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4558307A (en) * 1982-09-08 1985-12-10 Lienart Van Lidt De Jeude Rola Reminder device
FR2629934A1 (fr) * 1988-04-08 1989-10-13 Mennecier Philippe Systeme de telecommande radio propre a signaler l'emplacement d'un vehicule a son possesseur sur toute aire de stationnement
WO1996018165A2 (fr) * 1994-12-07 1996-06-13 Schoepferisch Aeusserung Anstalt Dispositif de localisation electronique
US5798693A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-08-25 Engellenner; Thomas J. Electronic locating systems
EP0887779A1 (fr) * 1997-06-24 1998-12-30 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson Système de localisation d'un dispositif de communication mobile
US5945918A (en) * 1990-12-19 1999-08-31 Mark G. McGonigal Apparatus and method for locating a remote control unit
WO2000046774A1 (fr) * 1999-02-08 2000-08-10 Agere Systems Guardian Corp. Localisateur d'objet
US6166652A (en) * 1997-06-23 2000-12-26 Benvenuti; Kerrie System and method for locating misplaced items
GB2346506B (en) * 1998-10-16 2003-11-05 Deborah Jane Hayes Locating articles

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3551906A (en) * 1967-04-28 1970-12-29 Leslie A Cooper Remote control alarm system
DE2455259A1 (de) * 1974-11-22 1976-05-26 Roland Loebnau Warngeraet
FR2449933A1 (fr) * 1979-02-22 1980-09-19 Rusch Gilbert Dispositif d'alarme susceptible d'etre declenche a distance
DE2918531A1 (de) * 1979-05-08 1980-11-13 Provera Gmbh Elektronische uhr, insbesondere armbanduhr, mit alarmvorrichtung

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3551906A (en) * 1967-04-28 1970-12-29 Leslie A Cooper Remote control alarm system
DE2455259A1 (de) * 1974-11-22 1976-05-26 Roland Loebnau Warngeraet
FR2449933A1 (fr) * 1979-02-22 1980-09-19 Rusch Gilbert Dispositif d'alarme susceptible d'etre declenche a distance
DE2918531A1 (de) * 1979-05-08 1980-11-13 Provera Gmbh Elektronische uhr, insbesondere armbanduhr, mit alarmvorrichtung

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4558307A (en) * 1982-09-08 1985-12-10 Lienart Van Lidt De Jeude Rola Reminder device
FR2629934A1 (fr) * 1988-04-08 1989-10-13 Mennecier Philippe Systeme de telecommande radio propre a signaler l'emplacement d'un vehicule a son possesseur sur toute aire de stationnement
US5945918A (en) * 1990-12-19 1999-08-31 Mark G. McGonigal Apparatus and method for locating a remote control unit
WO1996018165A3 (fr) * 1994-12-07 1996-09-06 Schoepferisch Aeusserung Ansta Dispositif de localisation electronique
WO1996018165A2 (fr) * 1994-12-07 1996-06-13 Schoepferisch Aeusserung Anstalt Dispositif de localisation electronique
US5798693A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-08-25 Engellenner; Thomas J. Electronic locating systems
US6057756A (en) * 1995-06-07 2000-05-02 Engellenner; Thomas J. Electronic locating systems
US6388569B1 (en) * 1995-06-07 2002-05-14 Thomas J. Engellenner Electronic locating methods
US6891469B2 (en) * 1995-06-07 2005-05-10 Thomas J. Engellenner Electronic locating systems
US7321296B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2008-01-22 Thomas J. Engellenner Electronic locating systems
US7902971B2 (en) 1995-06-07 2011-03-08 Xalotroff Fund V, Limtied Liability Company Electronic locating systems
US6166652A (en) * 1997-06-23 2000-12-26 Benvenuti; Kerrie System and method for locating misplaced items
EP0887779A1 (fr) * 1997-06-24 1998-12-30 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson Système de localisation d'un dispositif de communication mobile
GB2346506B (en) * 1998-10-16 2003-11-05 Deborah Jane Hayes Locating articles
WO2000046774A1 (fr) * 1999-02-08 2000-08-10 Agere Systems Guardian Corp. Localisateur d'objet

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5402104A (en) Scanning excessive separation alarm
US5939981A (en) Item locator with attachable receiver/transmitter
US3530451A (en) Holster radio alarm
GB1516740A (en) Radio locating unit
US5673023A (en) Locating system with both visual and voice simulated indication capabilities
US4025922A (en) Traffic control system
US5936530A (en) Child protection device
US4101873A (en) Device to locate commonly misplaced objects
CA2441054A1 (fr) Dispositif de reperage
EP0089667A1 (fr) Appareil pour retrouver des articles perdus
EP0581416B1 (fr) Alarme pour rappeler l'oubli d'un téléphone portatif cellulaire
US20030058098A1 (en) Programmable universal locating system
WO2004053525A3 (fr) Emetteur de signaux maitre associe a un recepteur esclave allie permettant de recevoir un signal dirige en provenance de l'emetteur
GB2394585A (en) Apparatus for preventing loss of personal valuables
GB2383666A (en) Proximity alarm and positioning system
US20070222592A1 (en) Locator-clip for electronic devices
US20090058640A1 (en) Tracking device
JPH09500226A (ja) 人と対象物との間に連続的な又は不連続的な接続を設定するための電子デバイス
EP1151426B9 (fr) Methode et systeme pour la localisation d'un object facile a egarer
US20040036600A1 (en) Item tracking system
US20030132842A1 (en) Baggage identifying/locating system
EP1339015A1 (fr) Système de localisation d'étiquettes d'identification radiofréquence
WO1993019437A1 (fr) Appareil de surveillance d'enfant
EP0887779A1 (fr) Système de localisation d'un dispositif de communication mobile
JPS55101068A (en) Article search unit

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT DE FR GB

16A New documents despatched to applicant after publication of the search report
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19840529

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST