Remote Locator System

• US 20090040053A1
• Filed: 10/09/2008
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mommy I'm Here, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mommy I'm Here, Inc.
• Inventors: White, Robert McCall
• Application Number:
  US12/248,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20090040053A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.400
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A remote locator system for tracking as lost child wherein a first remote locator unit is inconspicuously concealed on or located proximal to a small child. A second remote locator unit may be carried by a parent or caregiver. The remote locator system may include a receiver, transmitter, and/or a proximity device to enable at least one remote locator unit to monitor and or locate a corresponding remote locator unit.

Claims

1. A remote locator system comprising:

a first unit comprising;

a first receiver for receiving a signal from a first transmitter;

a first alarm for producing an alert;

a first microcontroller for enabling communication with a second unit on a select frequency, wherein said first microcontroller is operatively associated with said first receiver to receive a signal;

a first voltage regulator for indicating a low power supply; and

a first power supply;

wherein said first unit is removably attached to or integral with an article worn by or an object located proximal to an individual; and

a second unit comprising;

said first transmitter for transmitting a signal to said first receiver;

a button for activating said alarm;

a second microcontroller for randomly selecting said frequency to enable secure communication with said first unit, wherein said second microcontroller is operatively associated with said first transmitter to produce a signal;

a second alarm for producing an alert;

a second voltage regulator for indicating a low power supply; and

a second power supply.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first unit further comprises a first proximity device that receives a signal from said second unit to determine when the first unit has exceeded a predetermined distance from a second unit.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first unit further comprises a second transmitter;

and wherein said second unit further comprises a second receiver and a second proximity device for receiving a signal from said first unit to indicate when the first unit has exceeded a predetermined distance from the second unit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said first unit is embedded within an object selected from the group consisting of:

a child carrying device, a carriage, and a stroller.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein first unit is an article worn by an individual and has an ornamental housing shaped like an animal figure and wherein said second unit may be attached to a key chain.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein first unit is an article worn by an individual and wherein said article is selected from the group consisting of:

glasses, shoe, belt, belt buckle, button, hat, barrette, watch, watch strap, and bracelet.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein either said first unit further includes an retaining means shaped like a ring or bracket, wherein said retaining means is integral with the housing of said first unit.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein either said first unit or said second unit is water resistant.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein either said first unit further includes an anti-tampering device operatively associated with the on-off switch.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said anti-tampering device is a key hole and wherein a key corresponding to said key hole is attached to or said second unit.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein first unit is integral with an object located proximal to an individual and wherein said object is selected from the group consisting of:

a child carrying device, a carriage, and a stroller.

11. A remote locator system comprising:

a first unit consisting essentially of;

a first receiver for receiving a signal from a first transmitter;

a second transmitter for sending a signal to a second receiver;

a first antenna;

an alarm for producing an alert;

a first microcontroller for enabling communication with a second unit on a select frequency;

a first proximity device that receives a signal from a second unit to determine when the first unit has exceeded a predetermined distance from a second unit;

a first voltage regulator for indicating a low power supply;

a first power supply; and

a first on/off switch,

wherein said first unit is removably attached to or integral with an article worn by or an object located proximal to an individual; and

a second unit consisting essentially of;

said first transmitter for transmitting a signal to said first receiver;

said second receiver for receiving a signal from said second transmitter;

a second antenna;

a second alarm for producing an alert;

a button for activating said audio generator;

a second microcontroller for randomly selecting said frequency to enable secure communication with said first unit;

a second proximity device that receives a signal from said first unit to indicate when the first unit has exceeded a predetermined distance from the second unit;

a second voltage regulator for indicating a low power supply;

a second power supply; and

a first on/off switch.

13. A method for using a remote locator system comprising the steps of:

providing a remote locator system comprising;

a first unit comprising;

a first receiver;

a first alarm;

a first microcontroller;

a first voltage regulator; and

a first power supply; and

a second unit comprising;

a first transmitter;

a button;

a second microcontroller;

a second alarm;

a second voltage regulator; and

a second power supply.

arming said remote locator units;

sending a signal from said transmitter of said second unit to said receiver of said first unit to activate said first alarm.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of monitoring a power level of said second power supply with said second voltage regulator and activating said second alarm when said second power supply falls below a predetermined power level.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said arming step comprises:

pushing said button;

selecting and establishing a communication frequency; and

wherein at least one of said first unit or said second unit generates an arming confirmation indicator.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said communication frequency is randomly selected from at least 1,500 different frequencies.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said first unit further comprises:

a second transmitter; and

a

first proximity device; and

wherein said second unit further comprises;

a second receiver; and

a second proximity device; and

wherein said method further comprises the steps of;

monitoring a distance between said first and second units using said first unit and said second unit; and

activating said second alarm when said first unit exceeds a preset distance from said second unit.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of sending said signal from said transmitter of said second unit to said receiver of said first unit further comprising the step of activating said second alarm, wherein said second alarm produces an alert, and wherein said alert changes as the first unit and second units are drawn closer together to facilitate location of either said first unit or said second unit.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said alert is selected from the group consisting of:

a sound, visual display or combination thereof, and wherein said change in the alert is selected from the group consisting of;

a change in the frequency of the sound, a change in the volume of the sound, a change in the type of sound, a change in the duration of the sound, a change in the frequency of the visual display, a change in the color of the visual display, a change in the appearance of the visual display, a change in the duration of the visual display, or a combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein said first unit includes a key hole, wherein a key corresponding to said key hole is attached to said second unit, and wherein said method further comprises inserting said key into said key hole in order to turn off said first unit.