Key locator and method of use thereof

• US 20080258886A1
• Filed: 04/17/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pamela L. Summerlin
• Original Assignee: Pamela L. Summerlin
• Inventors: Summerlin, Pamela L.
• Application Number:
  US11/787,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20080258886A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/426.35
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1016 Remote signals alerting owner or authorities, e.g. radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

A key locator apparatus is provided comprising at least one key having at least one key code, and a locator, programmed with at least one key code to be transmitted, wherein the locator sends an activation signal to the key to activate an alarm secured about the key that is activated if the transmitted key code authenticity is confirmed, thus allowing a user to find the key.

Claims

1. A key locating apparatus comprising:

at least one key, wherein said at least one key has at least one internal key code;

a locator, wherein said locator is programmed with at least one transmitted key code, and wherein upon activation said locator sends an activation signal to said at least one key, said activation signal coded to said at least one transmitted key code; and

an alarm within said at least one key, wherein said alarm is activated by said activation signal sent from said locator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said key further comprises:

a memory mechanism, wherein said memory mechanism contains said at least one internal key code;

a receiving mechanism, wherein said receiving mechanism receives said activation signal containing said at least one transmitted key code;

a comparator, wherein said comparator compares said at least one internal key code to said at least one transmitted key code;

a power source, wherein said alarm is activated if said at least one transmitted key code is authorized in relation to said at least one key code by said comparator.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said key further comprises:

a memory mechanism having at least one transmitted key code, a transmitting mechanism adapted to transmit said at least one transmitted key code, and a receiving power source;

a key fob comprising a power source a receiving mechanism adapted to receive said activation signal containing said at least one transmitted key code from said locator, wherein said receiving mechanism receives said at least one internal key code from said key, a memory mechanism, wherein said memory mechanism stores said transmitted key code, and a comparator adapted to compare said at least one internal key code to said transmitted key code, a power field generated by said power source and received by said receiving power source thus powering said key, wherein said alarm is activated if said at least one transmitted key code is authorized by said comparator in relation to said at least one internal key code.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a specific transmitted key code may be selected by a user out of said at least one transmitted key code, and wherein said specific transmitted key code is specifically coded to one of said at least one key.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one internal key code is based on a manufacturer code, wherein said manufacturer code is preprogrammed into said key.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alarm is an audible signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alarm is a visual signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one key comprises a power source to power said alarm.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said power source is selected from a group consisting of a battery, a capacitor, an electromagnetic field, and combinations thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said power source is rechargeable.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said activation signal may be ceased by a deactivation mechanism disposed on said locator.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alarm may be deactivated by a deactivation signal from said locator.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locator comprises an attachment clip.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locator comprises a notification, wherein said notification alerts a user said locator is transmitting said activation signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locator further comprises a database comprising said at least one internal key code.

16. A method of locating a key, said method comprising the steps of:

activating a locator, wherein said activating step transmits a signal containing at least one transmitted key code from said locator;

receiving said signal at a key system, wherein said transmitted key code within said signal is specifically coded for said key system; and

notifying a user of the location of said key system via an alarm.

17. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

deactivating said alarm via a deactivation signal sent from said locator.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said signal is derived from a manufacturer code, and wherein said manufacturer code is preprogrammed into said key system.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

comparing said transmitted key code within said signal to a key code within said key system, wherein said notifying step only occurs if said transmitted key code is authorized via said comparing step.

20. A method of locating a key, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a mechanism made by a manufacturer, said mechanism having a coded key, wherein said coded key comprises a manufacturer key code;

obtaining a transmitted key code from an originator, wherein said transmitted key code is selected to be authenticated by said manufacturer key code, and wherein said transmitted key code is provided through a secure method;

obtaining a programmable transmitting mechanism;

programming said transmitted key code into said programmable transmitting mechanism;

transmitting said transmitted key code via said programmable transmitting mechanism;

receiving said transmitted key code at said coded key;

comparing said transmitted key code with said manufacturer key code; and

activating an alarm when said transmitted key code resembles said manufacturer key code in a way to confirm authenticity.