GB2394585A

GB2394585A - Apparatus for preventing loss of personal valuables

Info

Publication number: GB2394585A
Application number: GB0225002A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tariq Belkadi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-26
Filing date: 2002-10-26
Publication date: 2004-04-28
Also published as: GB0225002D0

Abstract

An apparatus for alerting the user to the removal of an item such as an umbrella on mobile telephone or to the disappearance of a small child or a pet, comprises a transmitter, a receiver and an alarm. The apparatus is arranged as a primary unit, preferably forming part of a watch 20, cooperating with a secondary unit attached to the item. One or each unit transmits a signal which is received by the other unit and one or each unit sounds an alarm when the signal is interrupted. Preferably, several secondary units may be controlled by one programmable primary unit, and each unit has an individual identity so that the primary unit reacts to the absence of any of the recognised secondary units. The secondary units may comprise resonant or RFID tags and means for recognising a plurality of primary units.

Description

gelded} J Apparatus for preventing the loss of personal valuables This

invention relates to means for safeguarding valuable items, including children, carried or kept on or about the person.

Small valuable items are frequently mislaid or stolen from the person, particularly in public places. Umbrellas for example are particularly prone to being left on public transport; laptop computers and briefcases are left in taxicabs; mobile telephones are left behind in restaurants. Similarly, small toddlers are liable to 10 wander away from their parents in the supermarket, or wander out into the street.

There is also a small but serious risk that a small child will be abducted while its parent's attention is distracted.

A need therefore exists to safeguard valuable items against loss, theft or 15 abduction, particularly in public places, and it is the aim of the present invention to address this need. In this specification, the term "item" is taken to include

children, umbrellas, briefcases, pet animals, and any other thing which the user wishes to keep or carry about his person.

20 According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for alerting a user to the removal of an item, including a receiver, a transmitter for sending a short range signal to the receiver, and means for generating an alarm, characterised in that the transmitter and receiver are arranged as two portable 25 units, one forming a primary unit associated with the user and the other a secondary unit associated with the item, and the alarm is triggered by attenuation of the signal when the secondary unit and the primary unit are moved apart by more than a predetermined distance.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figs. 1A and 1B are schematic representations ofthe apparatus in a first 5 embodiment in respectively the non-alarm and alarm conditions; Fig. 2A shows a wristwatch incorporating an integral primary unit according to the first embodiment; 10 Fig. 2B shows the display of the watch of Fig. 2A during programming; Figs. 3A to 3C show a secondary unit according to the first embodiment and attached to an item in, respectively, perspective, plan, and side views; 15 Fig. 3D shows an end view of the secondary unit of Figs. 3A to 3C attached to a further, different item; Fig. 4A shows the partially disassembled secondary unit of Figs. 3; and 20 Fig. 4B shows a removable section of the secondary unit of Fig. 4A.

Referring to Figs. 1A and 1B, in a first embodiment the apparatus comprises a primary unit P and a secondary unit S. Each unit comprises a small, portable module containing a receiver and a transmitter, including an integral power supply 25 such as a miniature battery, together with means for generating an alarm. The primary unit P is carried by the user of the apparatus in such a way that it is unlikely to be lost. The secondary unit S is formed as a self contained module which can be inserted into or attached externally to an item, such as a mobile telephone, personal organiser or umbrella, or alternatively worn by a small child 30 or affixed to the collar of a dog or the like, which the user wishes to safeguard against loss.

The transmitter of the primary unit P generates a short range, omnidirectional signal which can be detected by the receiver of the secondary unit S within the short range, represented by the circle 1. The transmitter of the secondary unit S 5 similarly generates a short range, omnidirectional signal which can be detected by the receiver of the primary unit P within a similar range, represented by the circle 2. The range is preferably less than 4 metres, and most preferably less than 2 metros. 10 In the non-alarm condition, represented by Fig. 1A, both units remain within range of one another so that each receives a signal from the other. The alarm of each unit is maintained in the inactive condition by the continued reception of the signal from the other unit. This may readily be achieved by circuitry of known type incorporated into the alarm means. A short time delay may be incorporated 15 into the alarm means which briefly suppresses the alarm in order to avoid spurious activation by, for example, signal interference.

The signal from each unit may be continuous, or alternatively for example it may be pulsed, in which case the alarm may be triggered by the failure to receive the 20 signal within the expected period. The signal may be a radio frequency, bluetooth^(TM) or other suitable signal, and preferably the power consumption of each unit, particularly in the non-alarm condition, is very low. It will be appreciated that the receiver of each of the two units is responsive to the signal from the other unit, and not to the signal from the transmitter of the same unit. Means for achieving 25 this differentiation, for example by time locking, discrimination of signal characteristics or other means, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

In the alarm condition, represented by Fig. 1B, the secondary unit S is moved apart from the primary unit P by more than a predetermined distance, represented 30 by the range 1, 2 of the respective signals. As the units are separated the alarm of the primary unit P is triggered by attenuation of the signal received from the

secondary unit S. Similarly, the alarm of the secondary unit S is triggered by attenuation of the signal received from the primary unit P. It will be understood that an increased distance between the transmitter and 5 receiver of a signal may be detected by a total loss of the signal, a reduction in its amplitude, or the modification of other signal characteristics. In this specification

the term "attenuation" is therefore to be understood as embracing these and all equivalent effects, and the term "range" is to be construed accordingly.

10 The alarm of each unit is conveniently an audible alarm, such as a piezoelectric sounder, but may be any other type of device, including for example a flashing LED, which alerts the user to the removal of the protected item. Desirably, the alarm of the primary unit includes a selectable vibrating alarm, which is useful in noisy environments as well as in theatres and the like.

The alarm of the secondary unit preferably includes an audible alarm, as this assists the user to locate the item when the alarm sounds. For example, where the secondary unit is attached to a personal organiser which the user has left behind on the seat of a bus, as the user walks away from the organiser the alarm of the 20 primary unit is triggered, alerting him immediately to the loss of the object. At the same time the alarm of the secondary unit sounds, and by locating the source of the sound the user is able to locate the object. Where both alarms are audible, in order to assist the user in hearing both alarms and locating the secondary unit, they may be of different intensities, frequencies or other characteristics.

In order to avoid unwanted alarms, the secondary unit S preferably includes deactivation means whereby its alarm is deactivated when the signal from the primary unit P is attenuated for a predetermined period of time; together with means for automatically resetting the deactivation means when the signal is 30 reestablished. This for example enables the user to leave the personal organiser at home, and go out carrying the primary unit.

As the units are separated, the alarm of the secondary unit S attached to the personal organiser will sound until it is turned off after a set period by the deactivation means. Similarly, if the user turns off the primary unit, the secondary 5 unit will sound its alarm until it is turned off automatically by its integral deactivation means after the set period has elapsed. The secondary unit according to this embodiment therefore does not require any controls, and enjoys the advantage of simplicity and resistance to tampering. Where more than one secondary unit is in use, as described in more detail below, the further advantage 10 is realised that all of the secondary units can be deactivated simultaneously (after the set period has elapsed) by the user turning off the primary unit.

When the primary unit is turned on again, or the user returns home, and the units P. S come into range of one another, the deactivation means of the secondary unit 15 S is automatically reset by the reestablishment of the signal from the primary unit P carried by the user. The secondary unit S will thus sound the alarm when the user again walks out of range, assisting the user to locate the personal organiser to which it is attached. It will be appreciated that in this way the invention also enables the user to locate small articles which are easily mislaid at home, for 20 example by turning on the primary unit and walking around the house until he hears the alarm from the secondary unit attached to the lost object. It will also be appreciated that the primary unit according to this embodiment enjoys simplicity of operation.

25 In the event that the secondary unit is disabled, for example by a thief or abductor, the attenuation of its signal will immediately provoke an alarm from the primary unit, alerting the user to the attempted theft or abduction.

Referring to Fig. 2A, the primary unit is conveniently integrated into a watch 20, 30 and its operation is controlled by means of control buttons 21, 22, 23, and a display 24. Manipulation of the first control 21 allows the watch to be switched

between time, alarm and stopwatch modes, and a fourth, "find" mode which displays the number of secondary units currently recognised, as described in more detail below.

5 In order to activate the primary unit, buttons 22 and 23 are depressed simultaneously (in order to avoid inadvertent activation), and a symbol 25 is displayed to indicate that the primary unit is active. By pressing both buttons a second time, the primary unit is disarmed, which is to say that its alarm remains off and its transmitter no longer transmits a signal. In this way the user can avoid 10 unwanted alarms; once the alarm of the secondary unit has been turned off by the deactivation means, the secondary unit will remain inactive until it receives a signal from the primary unit. By disarming the primary unit, the secondary unit will thus remain inactive until the primary unit is re-armed by pressing buttons 22 and 23, and brought into range of the secondary unit.

Referring to Figs. 3A to 3D, the secondary unit S is formed as a selfcontained module which is adapted to be attached to an external surface of the protected item 30, 31. A shaped, adhesive foam pad 32 may be provided to stick the unit S to the curved surface 33 of an item such as a mobile telephone. Preferably the unit 20 S is small and compact. It may be formed for example as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B with a removable section 40 giving access to the battery 41.

In a second embodiment, the secondary unit is integrated into the protected item, for example by incorporating it into a mobile telephone or personal computer 25 device, such as a personal organiser. The operation of the secondary unit may then be controlled by means of the keypad or equivalent controls of the protected item.

Where the item incorporates a receiver and transmitter, such as a bluetooth transmitter, the secondary unit may share the same receiver and transmitter.

30 In a third embodiment, the primary unit comprises a receiver and an alarm, and the secondary unit comprises a transmitter. Alternatively, the primary unit

comprises a transmitter, and the secondary unit comprises a receiver and an alarm.

Thus only one of the two units generates an alarm when the units are separated.

In a fourth embodiment, the secondary unit comprises a passive circuit which is 5 energised by a signal from the primary unit. The secondary unit may be formed by a resonant, planar tag affixed to or integrated into the protected item. The tag includes a planar antenna which acts as a receiver. The tag may include individual identity means, such as multiple resonant circuits.

10 The primary unit includes a transmitter which transmits a short range signal for energising the tag, and an antenna or receiver for detecting the presence of the tag within the range of the transmitter. The tag may also emit a short range signal in response to the energising field, which signal is detected by the transmitter. The

predetermined distance may thus be the range of the signal emitted by the 15 transmitter or the range of the signal emitted by the tag.

Although the secondary unit does not produce an alarm, a large number of items may thus be protected very cheaply, as described further below.

20 In a development of this or other embodiments, the secondary unit may include means for generating an alarm in response to the de-energisation of the tag or other receiver resulting from the attenuation of the signal from the transmitter of the primary unit.

25 Conveniently, a small rechargeable power source such as a capacitor may supply power to the alarm, and the exhaustion of the charge in the capacitor by the operation of the alarm serves the purpose of the deactivation means as described above. When the tag is re-energised, the automatic recharge of the capacitor or equivalent power storage device by the signal from the primary unit comprises the 30 means for resetting the deactivation means, by providing sufficient stored power to operate the alarm for the set period when it is next triggered. The duration of

the set period is thus defined by the capacity of the rechargeable power source and the power consumption of the alarm.

In a fifth embodiment, the secondary unit comprises a tag, such as an REID tag, 5 encoded with a digital individual identity code. The tag includes at least one antenna which acts as a receiver and transmitter. When the tag is energised by the field emitted by the primary unit, it transmits a signal incorporating the digital

identity code. The primary unit includes a transmitter for energising the tag, and a receiver for receiving the signal from the tag. Again, the secondary unit may 10 include alarm means. The tag may be affixed to the item, or alternatively it may be incorporated into the item during manufacture.

Desirably, the primary unit cooperates with a plurality of secondary units, each associated with a separate item, so that a number of items can be protected at one 15 time. In order to ensure that the alarm of the primary unit is activated by the removal of any of the secondary units, irrespective of the continued proximity of other secondary units, each secondary unit preferably includes individual identity means, and the primary unit includes means for recognising the identity of each secondary unit. An alarm is then generated by the primary unit if any recognised 20 secondary unit and the primary unit are moved apart by more than the predetermined distance.

This may be achieved for example by the primary unit polling each secondary unit simultaneously or in turn, or separately decoding each received signal, and 25 comparing each transmitted identity with a stored list of identities. If any of the stored identities is not received, the alarm is activated.

Thus for example, if the user attaches secondary units both to his mobile telephone and to his umbrella, and leaves his mobile telephone behind when he 30 alights from his train, the primary unit will sound an alarm and the secondary unit on the mobile telephone (if an alarm is included) will also sound an alarm. The

user can then hurry back and retrieve his mobile telephone before the train leaves the station. The secondary unit on his umbrella however will remain silent, because it has not gone out of range of the primary unit.

5 The individual identity means may comprise for example a digital code incorporated into the signal transmitted by the secondary unit, or a combination of resonant frequencies produced by multiple resonant circuits as described above with reference to the fourth embodiment. Where the secondary unit is incorporated into the protected item, the individual identity may be encoded into 10 the item, such as a registration number or other identifier. Alternatively it may be encoded into a small memory chip in the secondary unit and transmitted as part of the signal from the secondary unit. Where the secondary unit is formed as an REID tag, as in the fifth embodiment, the identity of the tag is transmitted.

15 Preferably, the primary unit includes a programmable memory for storing or deleting the identities of a plurality of secondary units, and it is envisaged that in use, the user would acquire as many secondary units as he required, and store the identity of each one in his primary unit.

20 Referring to Figs. 2A and 2B, in a development of the first embodiment, where a primary unit is incorporated into a watch as described above, the identities of one or more secondary units may be programmed into the memory of the primary unit by placing the secondary unit close to the watch and pressing and holding buttons 22 and 23 together for three seconds. The primary unit will then recognise the 25 secondary unit, and sound an alarm if it is removed from range.

Means are likewise provided for deleting the identity of the secondary unit from the memory, so that it is no longer recognised by the primary unit, and no alarm is then generated by the primary unit in response to its removal. Of course, rather 30 than deleting the identity of an unwanted unit, its identity might in practice remain in the memory but be designated as inactive, and references in this specification to

deletion from the memory are to be construed as including this and all other functional equivalents.

The primary unit thus only generates an alarm in response to a secondary unit 5 whose identity is recognised. This solves the problem of using the apparatus in crowded public places where other, similar apparatus may be in use, and where other, similar secondary units would otherwise trigger the alarm of the primary unit as they passed in and out of range.

10 In the fourth, "find" mode, shown in Fig. 2B, button 23 is configured as a reset button, indicated by the symbol 26. This enables the memory of the primary unit to be cleared, avoiding unwanted alarms. An indicator 27 shows how many secondary units are recognised.

15 Preferably, the primary unit similarly includes individual identity means, such as a digital identity code, and each secondary unit similarly includes means for recognising the identity of the primary unit, so that the secondary unit only sounds its alarm if the signal from the recognised primary unit is attenuated. No alarm is therefore generated by a secondary unit if it is moved apart from a further, similar 20 primary unit which has a further, different identity. This solves the problem of spurious alarms which could otherwise be generated by secondary units when carried in a crowded, public location where a number of similar primary units might be in use.

25 Each secondary unit may include means for recognising the identities of two or more primary units, enabling the user for example to wear any one of two or more watches incorporating primary units in accordance with the invention. Each secondary unit may include a programmable memory for storing or deleting the identities of a plurality of primary units, so that no alarm is generated by the 30 secondary unit if it is moved apart from a further, similar primary unit whose identity is not stored in its memory.

Most preferably, means are provided whereby each secondary unit recognises the identity of only one primary unit at any one time. As described above, once the alarm of a secondary unit has been turned off by its integral deactivation means, 5 that secondary unit will remain inactive until it receives a signal again from a recognised primary unit. Conveniently, each secondary unit is arranged to firstly identify the identity of the primary unit which reactivates it, (that is to say, the primary unit which resets its deactivation means), and thereafter to recognise only that primary unit, suppressing its response to all other primary units which it is 10 programmed to recognise, until it is again deactivated by its deactivation means after the attentuation of the signal from that primary unit for the set period.

Once the secondary unit has been deactivated, it may be reactivated by a second, different primary unit whose identity it has also been programmed to recognise, 15 and thereafter will be responsive only to that second primary unit until the secondary unit is again deactivated. By ensuring that each secondary unit is responsive to only one primary unit at any one time, the danger is avoided that a secondary unit may be inadvertently or feloniously reprogrammed or silenced while it is in use, by an unauthorised person using a further, different primary 20 unit.

In order to programme a secondary unit as described above with the identity of a new primary unit, means are preferably provided whereby the primary unit may emit a command or programming signal which the secondary unit recognises.

In order to effect the programming, it is necessary that the secondary unit is first deactivated. It is then placed in proximity to the new primary unit, which it does not yet recognise. Buttons 22 and 23 on the primary unit are then pressed and held together for three seconds, as described above, whereupon the primary unit 30 transmits the command or programming signal to the secondary unit, which then stores the identity of the primary unit in its memory. An audible signal may be

emitted by the secondary unit to indicate that it has successfully stored the new identity. The secondary unit thereafter recognises that primary unit and responds to it on each occasion where it is reactivated by that primary unit.

5 At substantially the same time, as previously described, the primary unit memorises the identity which is transmitted by the secondary unit. The primary unit may emit an audible signal indicating that programming is complete.

Further command signals may be provided on the primary unit, for example to set 10 each secondary unit into silent mode where it remains active but its alarm is suppressed. This is useful for example where the user is in a theatre and wishes to use the vibrating alarm facility of the primary unit to alert him discreetly to the loss of an article.

15 In summary, an apparatus for alerting the user to the removal of an item such as

an umbrella or a mobile telephone, or to the disappearance of a small child or a pet, comprises a transmitter, a receiver and an alarm. The apparatus is arranged as a primary unit, preferably forming part of a watch, cooperating with a secondary unit attached to the item. One or each unit transmits a signal which is received by 20 the other unit over a range preferably less than 2 - 4 metres; one or each unit sounds an alarm when the signal is interrupted. Preferably, several secondary units may be controlled by one programmable primary unit, and each unit has an individual identity so that the primary unit reacts to the absence of any of the recognised secondary units, while no alarm is generated in response to an 25 unrecognised secondary or primary unit. The invention also assists in locating objects which are mislaid in the home. The secondary units may comprise resonant or REID tags.

Many further features and advantages will become apparent upon studying the 30 description and the attached drawings, and it is to be understood that the invention

is not limited to the embodiments described.

Claims

1. An apparatus for alerting a user to the removal of an item, s including a receiver, a transmitter for sending a short range signal to the receiver, and means for generating an alarm, characterized in that the transmitter and receiver are arranged as two portable 10 units, one forming a primary unit associated with the user and the other a secondary unit associated with the item, and the alarm is triggered by attenuation of the signal when the secondary unit and the primary unit are moved apart by more than a predetermined distance.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each unit comprises a transmitter, a receiver and means for generating an alarm, and the primary unit and the secondary unit both generate an alarm when the secondary unit and the primary unit are moved apart by more than a predetermined distance.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that there are provided a plurality of secondary units, and each secondary unit is associated with a separate item.

25

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the or each secondary unit includes individual identity means, and the primary unit includes means for recognising the identity of the or each secondary unit, and in that an alarm is generated by the primary unit if any recognised secondary 30 unit and the primary unit are moved apart by more than a predetermined distance.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the primary unit includes a programmable memory for storing or deleting the identities of a plurality of secondary units, 5 such that no alarm is generated by the primary unit in response to a secondary unit whose identity is not stored in the memory of the primary unit.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the primary unit includes at least one control, and the identity of a secondary unit may be stored in 10 the memory of the primary unit by placing the secondary unit close to the primary unit and operating the control.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the primary unit includes individual identity means, and the or each secondary unit 15 includes means for recognising the identity of the primary unit, such that no alarm is generated by a said secondary unit if it is moved apart from a further, similar primary unit having a further, different identity.

20

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the or each secondary unit includes means for recognising the identities of a plurality of primary units.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that the or each secondary unit includes a programmable memory for storing or deleting the 25 identities of a plurality of primary units, such that no alarm is generated by the said secondary unit if it is moved apart from a further, similar primary unit whose identity is not stored in the memory of the said secondary unit.

10. An apparatus according to any of claims 7, 8 or 9, characterised in that means are provided whereby the or each secondary unit recognises the identity of only one said primary unit at any one time.

S

11. An apparatus according to any of claims 4 - 10, characterised in that the identity means comprises a digital code and the digital code is incorporated in the signal.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that at least 10 one of the two portable units includes a passive circuit which is energised by a signal from the other portable unit.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the or each secondary unit includes deactivation means whereby the alarm generated by 15 the secondary unit is deactivated when the signal is attenuated for a predetermined period of time, together with means for resetting the deactivation means when the signal is reestablished.

14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the predetermined distance is less than 4 metros.

15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the 25 predetermined distance is less than 2 metros.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the signal is a bluetoothsgnal.

30

17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the primary unit is integral with a watch.

18. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized in that at least one secondary unit is integral with a mobile telephone or portable computer device. s

19. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized in that at least one secondary unit comprises a module adapted for attachment to the item.

20. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the 10 secondary unit includes an alarm powered by a small rechargeable power source, the power source being charged by the signal from the primary unit.

21. An apparatus substantially as described with reference to the accompanying description and drawings.