Combination car alarm and personal locator system

• US 20020084893A1
• Filed: 01/02/2001
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Life-Line, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Global Life-Line, Inc.
• Inventors: Eisenman, Robert C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,142,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.19
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

A combination vehicle alarm and locator device. The device includes a housing, a vehicle alarm activator positioned within the housing including a transmitter for activating an alarm system on a vehicle and an infrared transmitting device located in the housing for communicating with a Global Positioning Satellite system for determining a location of the device. A key ring selectively extends from a side of the housing. The vehicle alarm activator includes an alarm activation button extending from the housing for activating the vehicle alarm activator to transmit the infrared signal. The transmitter device includes a processor, a memory device for storing identification information concerning the device and an activation button for activating the processor to retrieve the identification information from the memory for transmission to the Global Positioning Satellite system. The device also includes a speaker connected to the processor for optionally generating an audible signal when the activation button is activated. A clip is releasably connected to the housing for releasably securing the device to an article of clothing of the user. First, second and third visual indicators are provided on the housing for indicating when the activation button is activated, when the device is in an on mode and when the level of the power source is below a threshold value.

Claims

1. A combination vehicle alarm and locator device comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a vehicle alarm activator positioned within said housing including a transmitter for activating an alarm system on a vehicle; and

c) a transmitting device located in said housing for transmitting a location signal to a Global Positioning Satellite system for determining a location of said device.

2. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device further includes a key ring selectively extending from a side of said housing.

3. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmitter of said vehicle alarm activator is an infrared LED.

4. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 3, wherein said vehicle alarm activator further includes an alarm activation button extending from said housing for activating said transmitter to transmit an infrared signal.

5. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmitter device further includes a processor and memory device connected to said processor for storing identification information concerning said device.

6. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 5, wherein said transmitter device further comprises an activation button for activating said processor to retrieve the identification information from the memory device and control said transmitter to transmit the retrieved identification information to the Global Positioning Satellite system.

7. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 6, further comprising a speaker connected to said processor for generating an audible signal when said activation button is activated.

8. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 4, further comprising a cover connected to said housing and slidable along a portion thereof for selectively covering said activation button.

9. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a clip releasably connected to said housing for releasably securing said device to an article of clothing of the user.

10. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 4, further comprising a first visual indicator, said first visual indicator being illuminated when said activation button is activated.

11. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 10, further comprising a second visual indicator, said second visual indicator being illuminated when said device is in an on mode.

12. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power source connected to said vehicle alarm activator and said transmitting device.

13. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 12, further comprising a sensor connected to said power source for monitoring a power level of said power source.

14. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 13, further comprising a power source indicator connected to said sensor, wherein said sensor causes said power source indicator to illuminate when the level of said power source is below a threshold value.

15. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 1, wherein said location signal is constantly transmitted along with identification information concerning said device to said Global Positioning Satellite system thereby allowing constant tracking of said device by a central station.

16. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 15, further comprising an activation button, said activation button for generating an alarm signal to be transmitted along with said location signal upon activation.

17. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 16, further comprising a visual indicator, said visual indicator generating a visual signal upon activation of said activation button.

18. The combination vehicle alarm and locator device as recited in claim 17, further comprising an audible alarm signal, said audible alarm signal generating an audible alarm upon activation of said activation button.