SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING MISPLACED ITEMS

• US 20080020782A1
• Filed: 07/20/2006
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nassim Nasser
• Original Assignee: Nassim Nasser
• Inventors: Nasser, Nassim
• Application Number:
  US11/458,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20080020782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

The system for finding lost articles such as keys includes a receiving unit that is physically attached to the article and programmed to activate upon receipt of a unique code transmitted via a wireless communications network. A mobile phone has a pre-programmed function code that, upon pressing a specific set of keys causes the wireless network to automatically transmit the unique code. When activated, the receiving unit emits an audible signal and simultaneously, or after a programmed delay, activates a digital display with the owner'"'"'s contact information.

Claims

1. An system for locating an item, the system comprising:

a wireless communications network for providing communication services;

a receiving unit having a receiver module for receiving a unique identifier code transmitted by the wireless communications network, electronic control circuitry in communication with the receiver module, a digital display and a sound generator connected to and controlled by the control circuitry, a battery for providing power to the receiver module, control circuitry, digital display and sound generator, and an attachment means for attaching the receiving unit to the item; and

a mobile phone in communication with the wireless communications network, the mobile phone having a pre-programmed function code that is initiated by a pre-determined series of key strokes, wherein the series of key strokes causes a first signal to be transmitted by the mobile phone for receipt by the wireless communications network and wherein, in response to receipt of the first signal, the wireless communications network transmits an activation signal including the unique identifier code to the receiving unit to activate one or both of the digital display and the sound generator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the series of key strokes comprises a star key and a number “

5”

key in sequence.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the series of keys strokes further comprises a number “

3”

key and a number “

9”

key in sequence after the number “

5”

key.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry includes a timing function for control one or more of an activation delay and a duration of the digital display.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the timing function is programmable for activating the sound generator before activating the digital display.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry includes a timing function for control one or more of an activation delay and a duration of the sound generator.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein, upon activation, the digital display displays a message comprising a telephone number of the mobile phone.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital display comprises a thin film transistor or LCD display.

9. A method for locating a misplaced item comprising:

attaching the item to a receiving unit having a receiver module for receiving a unique identifier code transmitted by the wireless communications network, electronic control circuitry in communication with the receiver module, a digital display and a sound generator connected to and controlled by the control circuitry, a battery for providing power to the receiver module, control circuitry, digital display and sound generator, and an attachment means for attaching the receiving unit to the item;

programming a mobile phone with a pre-programmed function code, wherein the pre-programmed function code is coordinated with a wireless communications network to transmit the unique identifier code to the receiving unit when a pre-determined series of keystrokes is entered on the mobile phone;

transmitting the unique identifier code to the receiving unit to activate the receiving unit;

activating the sound generator to generate an audible signal; and

activating a digital display for displaying a message for contacting an owner of the misplaced item.

10. The method claim 9, wherein the series of key strokes comprises a star key and a number “

5”

key in sequence.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the series of keys strokes further comprises a number “

3”

key and a number “

9”

key in sequence after the number “

5”

key.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the control circuitry includes a timing function for control one or more of an activation delay and a duration of the digital display.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the timing function is programmable for activating the sound generator before activating the digital display.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the control circuitry includes a timing function for control one or more of an activation delay and a duration of the sound generator.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein, upon activation, the digital display displays a message comprising a telephone number of the mobile phone.

16. An item location system comprising:

a mobile phone having a pre-programmed function, wherein the pre-programmed function is activated by pressing a series of keys on the mobile phone, wherein upon activation of the pre-programmed function, a first electronic signal is transmitted from the mobile phone and transmitted to a wireless communications network;

wherein the wireless communications network transmits a second electronic signal; and

a receiving unit physically connected to the item, the receiving unit having a unique activation code, wherein the receiving unit receives the second electronic signal, and, if the second electronic signal matches the unique activation code, the receiving unit is activated to generate an audible signal and a digital display comprising contact information for an owner of the item.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the series of key strokes comprises a star key and a number “

5”

key in sequence.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the receiving unit comprises control circuitry having a timing function for controlling one or more of an activation delay and a duration of the digital display.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the timing function is programmable for activating the sound generator before activating the digital display.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein, upon activation, the digital display displays a message comprising a telephone number of the mobile phone.