Ultrasonic transmitter and receiver systems and products using the same

• US 20060181421A1
• Filed: 03/02/2006
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beezerbug Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Beezerbug Incorporated
• Inventors: Brantner, Paul, Forcier, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,498,946 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03

Abstract

A transceiver preferably embedded within a wearable security watch, PDA, or other device which achieves a variety of wireless ultrasonic and/or radio-frequency based functions, including digital identification and proximity and sensation monitoring of assets, individuals, pets, and the like. The portable or wearable device realizes these functions by periodically polling and receiving information tags within the transmitting distance of the device. The invention can help reduce the likelihood of the theft, loss, or misplacement by detecting that a tag associated with or attached to an entity has left an individual'"'"'s proximity and sounding an alarm. The device can also assist individuals with sensory impairments, including persons who are deaf, diabetic, and the like, by detecting a tagged entity as it enters the space around an individual, or by detecting environmental stimuli, such as excessive heat in an individual'"'"'s proximity or vital sign changes, and sounding an alarm.

Claims

1. A wireless ultrasonic controller, consisting of:

at least one piezoelectric transducer, capable of converting between ultrasonic signals and electrical signals;

a power source, for providing power;

a data storage device, for storing information; and

,

a microprocessor, for performing functions associated with the controller and directing information to the display.

2. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 1, wherein the display is capable of displaying information to a controller operator;

3. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 1, wherein the power source provides power from an energy storage device.

4. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 3, wherein the energy storage device is a battery.

5. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 4, wherein the battery is capable of being recharged.

6. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 4, wherein the battery is capable of being inductively recharged.

7. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 1, wherein the at least one piezoelectric transducer is a thin film piezoelectric transducer.

8. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 7, wherein the at least one thin film piezoelectric transducer is comprised of at least one Polyvinylidene fluoride film.

9. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 7, wherein the at least one thin film piezoelectric transducer is comprised of two Polyvinylidene fluoride films.

10. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory storage device is capable of storing at least eight kilobytes of data.

11. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 1, further comprising an alarm for providing sensorial feedback to a controller operator.

12. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 11, wherein the feedback is provided visually.

13. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 11, wherein the feedback is provided audibly.

14. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 11, wherein the feedback is provided through tactile stimulation.

15. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 1, further comprising a low noise amplifier, for amplifying weak electrical signals.

16. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 15, further comprising a switch for controlling data flow between output from the recognition circuit, input to the low noise amplifier, and the at least one transducer.

17. The wireless ultrasonic controller of claim 1, further comprising a crystal, for frequency tuning the output of the recognition circuit.

18. An asset monitoring system, comprising:

an asset;

at least one ultrasonic wireless controller, capable of digital ultrasonic communication; and

at least one ultrasonic wireless tag, attached to the asset and capable of digital ultrasonic communication with the wireless controller.