Light sensing hidden object location system

• US 20030197610A1
• Filed: 05/21/2003
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ravi Chandar
• Original Assignee: Ravi Chandar
• Inventors: Chandar, Ravi
• Granted Patent: US 6,911,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

An object locating system for automatically locating a hidden or lost wireless object. This is applicable to objects such as remote controls for TVs and VCRs and the like. An ambient light photosensor is located on the object. The object locating system also includes an alarm located on the wireless object, which is electrically connected to the ambient light photosensor. The ambient light photosensor senses ambient lighting conditions. The alarm is actuated when the ambient light photosensor detects ambient light below a predetermined level.

Claims

1. A method for locating a hidden object, the method comprising:

sensing an ambient light level in the near proximity of the object;

determining if the light level is below a predetermined level; and

activating an alarm connected to the object, in response to the determining step.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensing step comprises sensing an ambient light level at an upper surface of the object.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the alarm is one or more selected from the group consisting of a noisemaker, a light emitter, a vibrator, and a radio signal transmitter.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the object is a remote control device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensing of the ambient light is performed with a photosensor, and the alarm is triggered by the photosensor activating the alarm via an electro-magnetic relay device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein a switch is used to electrically disengage the alarm.

7. A device to aid in locating an object, the device comprising:

an ambient light sensor connectable to the object; and

an alarm electrically connected to the ambient light sensor, wherein the alarm is activated when the ambient light detector senses light at a level below a predetermined level.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is divided into parts including a first part and a second part, the first part comprising:

a first power source, a transistor, and the ambient light sensor.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the second part comprises:

a second power source and the alarm.

10. The device of claim 9, the device further comprising:

an electro-magnetic relay, the electro-magnetic relay electrically connecting the first part to the second part, the electro-magnetic relay connected to activate the alarm when the ambient light photosensor senses light at a level below a predetermined level.

11. The device of claim 10 further comprising:

a switch in the second part electrically connected the second power source, for deactivating the locating device.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the alarm is one or more selected from the group consisting of a noisemaker, a light emitter, a vibrator, and a radio signal transmitter.

13. The device claim 10 wherein the ambient light photosensor is a cadmium sulphide photoresistor.

14. A system to aid in locating an object, the system comprising:

the object;

an ambient light sensor connected to the object; and

an alarm electrically connected to the ambient light sensor, wherein the alarm is activated when the ambient light detector senses light at a level below a predetermined level.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the system is divided into parts including a first part and a second part, the first part comprising:

a first power source, a transistor, and the ambient light sensor.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the second part comprises:

a second power source and the alarm.

17. The system of claim 16, the system further comprising:

an electro-magnetic relay, the electro-magnetic relay electrically connecting the first part to the second part, the electro-magnetic relay connected to activate the alarm when the ambient light photosensor senses light at a level below a predetermined level.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising:

a switch in the second part electrically connected the second power source, for deactivating the locating system.

19. The system claim 17 wherein the alarm is one or more selected from the group consisting of a noisemaker, a light emitter, a vibrator, and a radio signal transmitter.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the ambient light photosensor is a cadmium sulphide photoresistor.