SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING LOST OBJECTS OR ITEMS

• US 20160292974A1
• Filed: 04/03/2016
• Published: 10/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Yvonne Folk
• Original Assignee: Yvonne Folk
• Inventors: Folk, Yvonne
• Application Number:
  US15/089,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20160292974A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/12 Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means B65D51/248, B65D55/028, B65D79/02 and B65D81/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/165 these elements being assembled by a separate pin-like member
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/245 provided with decoration, information or contents indicating devices, labels B65D81/366 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/248 the closure being provided with transient audible or visual signaling means, e.g. for indicating dispensing, or other illuminating or acoustic devices, e.g. whistles B65D55/026, B65D55/028 take precedence; for indicating incorrect storage B65D79/02
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

The embodiments herein provide a system and a method to locate lost/misplaced objects in a simple, economical, and cost-effective manner. The system comprises a container with an inbuilt transmitter and a plurality of buttons that activate a search signal from a transmitter when pressed. The system has a plurality of receiver strips attached to a plurality of items. The container is configured to function as a remote and a storage container. The plurality of receiver chips is configured to provide an audio alarm/alert and/or visual alarm/alert to identify or display a location of a required item attached to one of the plurality of receiver chips, when a paired locator button in the container is pressed while searching or identifying the location of the required item.

Claims

1. A system for locating lost/misplaced items, the system comprising:

a housing with a top lid and a bottom storage box, and wherein the housing is a container;

a transmitter chip mounted on a top surface of the container, and wherein the transmitter chip is mounted on an upper surface of the lid in the container;

a plurality of locator buttons mounted on the top surface of the container, and wherein the plurality of locator buttons chip is mounted on the upper surface of the lid in the container, and wherein the plurality of locator buttons is communicatively connected to the transmitter chip;

a plurality of receivers strips paired to the plurality of locator buttons, and wherein the plurality of locator buttons is configured to securely receive and hold a plurality of items/articles of manufactures;

wherein the plurality of receiver chips is configured to provide an audio alarm/alert and/or visual alarm/alert to identify or display a location of a required item attached to one of the plurality of receiver chips, when a paired locator button in the container is pressed while searching or identifying the location of the required item.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the paired button is pressed to activate the transmitter to transmit/broadcast a signal, and wherein the transmitted/broadcast signal is received by the paired receiver strip to output the audio alarm and/or the visual alarm.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of locator buttons is paired to the plurality of receiver buttons respectively through a communication protocol, and wherein the communication protocol is selected from a group consisting of a short range wireless network, a Bluetooth communication/network, and near field communication.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprises an electronic circuit board housed inside the container to provide a required communication protocol.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprises an ON/OFF switch positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the transmitter chip.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprises a power supply for supplying an electrical power to the transmitter chip, and wherein the power supply is a battery/solar power/rechargeable battery.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of receiver strips comprises a speaker to output the audio alarm, when the corresponding locator button is pressed.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of receiver strips comprises an audio alarm unit to provide the audio alarm, and wherein the audio alarm is a sound or a tone or a beep sound, and wherein the audio alarm is output continuously or intermittently.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of receiver strips comprises a light emitting unit to provide the visual alarm, and wherein the light emitting unit is a light emitting diode (LED) or Light Crystal Display (LCD), and wherein the visual alarm is output as a continuous light emission or blinking light, and wherein a colour of the light output from the plurality of the receiver strips is mutually different to each other.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of receiver strips comprises a vibrator unit to provide vibrations or vibrating sound.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of receiver strips is configured to output the audio alarm and visual alarm sound until the locator button is deactivated.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of receiver strips comprises a a fastener for receiving and holding the item, and wherein the fastener is selected from a group consisting of a hook, a clamp, a ring, a packet or pouch, a Velcro and an adhesive strip, and wherein the fastener provided in the plurality of the receiver strips for holding the item is same or different.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of receiver strips has a unique colour.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of locator buttons has a unique colour, and wherein the colour of each locator button and the colour of the paired locator button are same.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the top lid and the bottom storage box are coupled through a plurality of hinge pins, and wherein the bottom storage box is designed/configured to secure any desired item within.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the container is configured to act as a remote control unit, and wherein the container is designed/configured to be attached to any wall or any surface.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the item attached to the plurality of receiver strips is selected from a group consisting of keys, glasses, telephone, watch, valet, address book, remote control, and purse/wallet.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the container is made of injection moulded Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

19. A method of locating items through a container and a plurality of receiver strips, wherein the container is provided with a transmitter chip and a plurality of locator buttons communicatively connected to the transmitter chip, the method comprises:

attaching a receiver strip from a plurality of receiver strips to an item, wherein each receiver strip has a unique colour and corresponds to a colour of a paired locator button on the container;

activating an ON/OFF switch located on the housing;

pressing one of the locator buttons corresponding to a required or lost or misplaced item;

activating the transmitter chip to generate a radio signal, wherein the radio signal is broadcast;

receiving the radio signal by at least one receiver strip corresponding to the locator button, and wherein the receiver strip is configured to output an audio alarm and visual alarm, and wherein the audio alarm is a sound or a tone or a beep sound, and wherein the audio alarm is output continuously or intermittently, and wherein the visual alarm is output as a continuous light emission or blinking light, and wherein a colour of the light output from the plurality of the receiver strips is mutually different to each other.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the receiver strip outputs the audio alarm and visual alarm sound until the locator button is deactivated.