EP1151426B9 - Methode und vorrichtung zum lokalisteren eines objektes welches leicht verlegt wird - Google Patents
Methode und vorrichtung zum lokalisteren eines objektes welches leicht verlegt wird Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1151426B9 EP1151426B9 EP00908495A EP00908495A EP1151426B9 EP 1151426 B9 EP1151426 B9 EP 1151426B9 EP 00908495 A EP00908495 A EP 00908495A EP 00908495 A EP00908495 A EP 00908495A EP 1151426 B9 EP1151426 B9 EP 1151426B9
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- signal
- cordless telephone
- base unit
- page
- alerting device
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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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
- G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
- G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
- G08B21/0288—Attachment of child unit to child/article
-
- 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
- This invention relates to the location of an object apt to be mislaid, such as a keyring.
- One object that may be misplaced is a handset from a cordless telephone.
- a user may roam around the home while engaged in a telephone call, and upon completion of the telephone call, may mindlessly place the telephone in the nearest convenient spot. Later, when the user wishes to place an outgoing telephone call, the user may be unable to locate the telephone handset.
- conventional cordless telephones include a "page" function.
- the page function takes advantage of the RF link between the base unit and handset of the cordless telephone.
- the base unit transmits an RF signal to the handset.
- the handset receives the RF signal, and, conventionally, causes the output of an audible signal, such as three "beeps", in response thereto. The user then locates the source of the beeps, and hence locates the handset.
- Sasaki et al in US-A-5040204 describe a cordless telephone which has a pager separate from the handset and the base unit of the cordless telephone, and to which signals can be sent from the telephone.
- a method of locating an object apt to be mislaid using a cordless telephone comprising the steps of affixing a receiver separate from both a base unit and a remote handset of a cordless telephone to the object; and subsequently, when the object is to be located, transmitting a locating signal independent of telephone operations from said cordless telephone targeted to said receiver, said receiver being effective to output a sensory alert signal therefrom upon receipt of said locating signal sufficient to allow a person to locate said object.
- a keyring and a cordless telephone adapted for locating that keyring, the keyring having a receiver separate from both a base unit and a handset of the cordless telephone affixed thereto, the cordless telephone including means for transmitting a locating signal independent of telephone operations from said cordless telephone targeted to said receiver affixed to said keyring, and the receiver including means for outputting a sensory alert signal upon receipt of said locating signal sufficient to allow a person to locate said keyring.
- the sensory alert comprises an audible signal and/or a visual signal.
- object locator system 105 includes a cordless telephone base unit 107 and an alerting device 109.
- the cordless telephone base unit 107 is a conventional cordless telephone base unit.
- the cordless telephone base unit 107 is specially configured for operation according to the invention.
- Alerting device 109 includes a coupling element 111 for use in coupling alerting device 109 to an object, and also includes antenna 113 for use in receiving a page signal, such as an RF signal, from cordless telephone base unit.
- a page signal such as an RF signal
- the alerting device 109 includes the necessary components to receive the RF signal from the antenna 113, process the RF signal, recognize that the RF signal includes a paging signal, and control the alerting device to output the alert signal based on this recognition.
- the specific implementation is not material, and is clearly within the knowledge of one of skill in the art.
- a transceiver and digital signal processor DSP from a cordless handset may be adapted for use in alerting device 109 to perform the same functions in alerting device 109 as they perform within a cordless handset upon receipt of a paging signal.
- special purpose receiving elements, filters, and processors may instead be employed for this purpose to achieve form factor and power efficiencies.
- the alerting device 109 may include one or more signal transmitters to transmit the alerting signal.
- alerting device 109 may include a light 115 and/or a speaker 117 to provide visual and/or audible alerting signals, respectively. These alerting signals may then be sensed by a user in an attempt to locate the alerting device, and hence the object coupled thereto. It is also within the scope of the present invention that the alerting signal is another RF signal that is transmitted to a user or to a processor-based apparatus for use in providing the user an indication of the location of the alerting device.
- Coupling element 111 may be any element capable of coupling the alerting device 109 to the object.
- the coupling element may be a strap that can be tied to the object.
- it may be an adhesive, such as a tape or a glue, for use in adhering to the object.
- the coupling element may be a Velcro strip used to mate with an associated Velcro portion of the object.
- Other alternatives, such as key rings, and any other method of coupling to an object will likely be dictated by the size, shape and composition of the object and will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art.
- cordless telephone base unit 107 may be a conventional cordless telephone base unit, in which case a user activates the object locator system according to conventional paging mechanisms, such as, for example, pressing a "page" button associated therewith.
- cordless telephone base unit 107' may be configured particularly for operation according to the invention.
- the concept associated with Figure 2 is that one or more alerting devices 109 may be associated with base unit 107'.
- base unit 107' may be adapted to broadcast separate RF signals for each of the devices, and may include separate actuation mechanisms to initiate each broadcast.
- base unit 107' shown in Figure 2 thus includes, as an example of separate actuation mechanisms, an input panel 202 that includes separate paging buttons 204, 206 and 208 associated with each of the three alerting devices. In this way, the user can initiate a page signal to only the desired alerting device, and thus be subsequently alerted by only the corresponding alerting device.
- Base unit 107' may also include a processor 210, such as a DSP.
- DSP 210 may perform conventional telephone functions known to one of skill in the art, but is also adapted to react to the activation of a particular key 204, 206 or 208 and cause the transmission of a corresponding RF signal from transmitter 212.
- Transmitter 212 similarly may also perform conventional telephone functions involving the transmission of voice or data information to a handset.
- each key 204-206 and its corresponding alerting device 109 may be associated with a particular frequency, such that activation of a particular key caused transmission of a signal on a particular frequency that is reacted to by the associated alerting device 109 but ignored by the others.
- particular coding may be included in the transmission from transmitter 212 to identify the particular alerting device. Persons of skill in the art of communication and signaling may conceive of many alternative coding and signaling mechanisms that are capable of acting appropriately according to this aspect of the invention.
- Figure 3 provides another embodiment according to the invention, wherein the functionality of alerting device 109 is integrated into another device, thereby eliminating the need for coupling element 111.
- keychain 301 includes a key holding element 303, such as a key ring, on which a user can mount keys, and also includes a page signal receiving element 305.
- the page signal receiving element 305 incorporates the antenna, receiver, and other RF elements necessary for receiving the RF signal from base unit 107.
- Keychain 301 also includes a signal transmitter to transmit a visible and or audible signal.
- the surface of page signal receiving element 305 can include one or more lights or light emitting diodes 307, and may include a speaker 309.
- the keychain 301 may thus act as an alerting device, and, as with the other alerting devices 109, may be marketed together with a cordless telephone as a market differentiator.
- Figure 4 provides an exemplary method of operation according to the invention.
- a user activates a page function at a cordless telephone base unit 107.
- this activation may be a conventional activation, or may be the activation of a special purpose page function by, for example, activating a special key provided according to the invention.
- an alert signal from alerting device 109 (or 305) is sensed.
- a user may hear an audible alert signal issued by the alerting device.
- the "sensing" may be manual, such as a human sensing the audible signal as discussed in the above example, or may be automatic such that the signal is transmitted to another device, such as through RF or other forms of communication.
- the alert signal is suitable for sensing by a human, this is purely for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.
Landscapes
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Telephone Function (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
- Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
- Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)
Claims (5)
- Verfahren zum Lokalisieren eines Objekts, welches leicht verlegt wird, unter Verwendung eines schnurlosen Telefons, aufweisend die Schritte des Anbringens eines sowohl von einer Basisstation als auch von einem entfernten Handapparat eines schnurlosen Telefons separaten Empfängers am Objekt; und nachfolgend, wenn das Objekt lokalisiert werden soll, Übertragen eines von den Telefonfunktionen des schnurlosen Telefons unabhängigen Lokalisierungssignals; das auf den Empfänger ausgerichtet ist, wobei der Empfänger in der Lage ist, nach Erhalt des Lokalisierungssignals ein sensorisches Alarmsignal auszugeben, das ausreichend ist, um es einer Person zu ermöglichen, das Objekt zu lokalisieren.
- Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, weiterhin dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Alarmsignal ein hörbares Signal und/oder ein sichtbares Signal aufweist.
- Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, weiterhin dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Objekt ein Schlüsselring ist.
- Objektlokalisierungssystem aufweisend einen Schlüsselring und ein schnurloses Telefon, das zum Lokalisieren eines Schlüsselrings adaptiert ist, wobei der Schlüsselring einen Empfänger hat, der sowohl von einer Basisstation als auch von einem entfernten Handapparat des schnurlosen Telefons, separat daran angebracht ist, wobei das schnurlose Telefon Mittel zum Übertragen eines von den Telefonfunktionen des schnurlosen Telefons unabhängigen Lokalisierungssignals aufweist, das auf den am Schlüsselring angebrachten Empfänger ausgerichtet ist, und wobei der Empfänger Mittel zum Ausgeben eines sensorischen Alarmsignals aufweist, wenn er das Lokalisierungssignal erhalten hat, wobei das Alarmsignal ausreichend ist, um es einer Person zu ermöglichen, das Objekt zu lokalisieren.
- Apparat nach Anspruch 4, weiterhin dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der sensorische Alarm ein hörbares Signal und/oder ein sichtbares Signal aufweist.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US246604 | 1988-09-20 | ||
US24660499A | 1999-02-08 | 1999-02-08 | |
PCT/US2000/002996 WO2000046774A1 (en) | 1999-02-08 | 2000-02-04 | Object locator |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1151426A1 EP1151426A1 (de) | 2001-11-07 |
EP1151426B1 EP1151426B1 (de) | 2004-07-28 |
EP1151426B9 true EP1151426B9 (de) | 2004-10-20 |
Family
ID=22931369
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00908495A Expired - Lifetime EP1151426B9 (de) | 1999-02-08 | 2000-02-04 | Methode und vorrichtung zum lokalisteren eines objektes welches leicht verlegt wird |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1151426B9 (de) |
JP (1) | JP2002536898A (de) |
AU (1) | AU2982500A (de) |
CA (1) | CA2361214A1 (de) |
DE (1) | DE60012483T2 (de) |
WO (1) | WO2000046774A1 (de) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3599097B2 (ja) | 2000-10-10 | 2004-12-08 | 日本電気株式会社 | 周辺装置による携帯通信装置の呼出方法、それを用いた携帯通信装置および周辺装置 |
KR200472029Y1 (ko) * | 2012-04-25 | 2014-04-07 | 원종만 | 휴대형 위치추적 장치 |
JP5452690B1 (ja) * | 2012-10-12 | 2014-03-26 | パナソニック株式会社 | 無線通信装置およびロケータシステム |
JP5284527B1 (ja) | 2012-10-16 | 2013-09-11 | パナソニック株式会社 | 無線通信装置および無線通信システム |
JP5577428B2 (ja) * | 2013-06-06 | 2014-08-20 | パナソニック株式会社 | 無線通信システム、無線通信装置、およびロケータ |
US9472088B2 (en) | 2014-08-25 | 2016-10-18 | Logicmark, Llc | Apparatus and method for locating and updating low-power wireless communication devices |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4101873A (en) * | 1976-01-26 | 1978-07-18 | Benjamin Ernest Anderson | Device to locate commonly misplaced objects |
EP0073197A1 (de) * | 1980-11-14 | 1983-03-09 | University of Strathclyde | Hilfsmittel zum lokalisieren eines gegenstandes |
EP0089667A1 (de) * | 1982-03-22 | 1983-09-28 | Thomas William Nyiri | Gerät zum Auffinden verlorener Gegenstände |
JPS6392132A (ja) * | 1986-10-06 | 1988-04-22 | Toshiba Corp | コ−ドレス電話装置 |
CN1112063C (zh) * | 1995-05-30 | 2003-06-18 | 日本电气株式会社 | 适用于从无绳电话呼叫的寻呼系统 |
US5638050A (en) * | 1995-12-29 | 1997-06-10 | Universal Electronics, Inc. | System for locating an object |
EP0887779A1 (de) * | 1997-06-24 | 1998-12-30 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson | Lokalisierungssystem für eine Mobilkommunikationsvorrichtung |
-
2000
- 2000-02-04 JP JP2000597776A patent/JP2002536898A/ja active Pending
- 2000-02-04 AU AU29825/00A patent/AU2982500A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-02-04 EP EP00908495A patent/EP1151426B9/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-02-04 DE DE60012483T patent/DE60012483T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-02-04 WO PCT/US2000/002996 patent/WO2000046774A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-02-04 CA CA002361214A patent/CA2361214A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE60012483T2 (de) | 2005-07-28 |
EP1151426B1 (de) | 2004-07-28 |
DE60012483D1 (de) | 2004-09-02 |
EP1151426A1 (de) | 2001-11-07 |
CA2361214A1 (en) | 2000-08-10 |
WO2000046774A1 (en) | 2000-08-10 |
AU2982500A (en) | 2000-08-25 |
JP2002536898A (ja) | 2002-10-29 |
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