Means for locating a remote control device

• US 5,294,915 A
• Filed: 06/30/1993
• Issued: 03/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Owen C. Randal
• Original Assignee: Owen C. Randal
• Inventors: Owen, C. Randal
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/085,669
• Time in Patent Office: 258 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/573, 340/531, 340/527, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.49, 340/692, 340/528, 340/309.15, 340/568
• US Class Current: 340/539.32
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0216 Alarm cancellation after generation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A remote control locating device is disclosed which comprises a transmitter built into and hard wired into the circuitry of a remotely controlled electronic device and a receiver which is built into and hard wired into a remote control device which is capable of controlling the electronic device. The transmitter is adapted to operate on low power and is also adapted to transmit an FM signal upon operation of a switch. The receiver receives the FM signal transmitted from the transmitter and the receiver is also adapted to receive power from a battery contained in and adapted to power the remote control device. The receiver contains an audible signaling device adapted to be actuated upon receipt of the FM signal transmitted from the transmitter and the receiver further contains a timer adapted to deactivate the audible device upon expiration of a predetermined period of time for the purpose of saving battery usage.

Claims

1. A means for locating a remote control device which is capable of controlling an electronic device, the electronic device being stationary and the remote control device being capable of controlling the electronic device from a remote location, said locating means comprising means located within the electronic device for selectively generating FM signals for transmission over an antenna, means located within the remote control device for receiving the FM signals, means responsive to the reception of the FM signals for generating audible signals for a period of time that indicate the FM signals have been received, and means for selectively adjusting the period of time that the generating means are generating audible signals, the selectively adjusting means comprising a variable capacitor for selectively adjusting the period of time, and upon expiration of the selectively adjustable period of time for deactivating the generating means.

2. The locating means of claim 1 wherein selectively generating means comprises a variable capacitor for adjusting the frequency of the FM signals.

3. The locating means of claim 1 wherein selectively generating means comprises a switch for enabling transmission of the FM signals.

4. The locating means of claim 1 wherein the means for generating audio signals comprises a speaker.

5. The locating means of claim 1 wherein the electronic device includes a power supply and the means for generating FM signals is connected to the power supply.

6. The locating means of claim 1 wherein the remote control includes a power supply and the receiving means is connected to the power supply.

7. A remote control locating device comprising a transmitter built into and hard wired into the circuitry of a remote controlled electronic device, the transmitter being adapted to operate on low power and being adapted to transmit an FM signal upon operation of a switch, and a receiver built into and hard wired into a remote control device which is capable of controlling the electronic device, the receiver being adapted to receive the FM signal transmitted from the transmitter, the receiver adapted to receive power from a battery contained in and adapted to power and the remote control device, the receiver containing an audible signaling device adapted to be actuated upon receipt of the FM signal transmitted from the transmitter and the receiver further containing a manually adjustable timer adapted to deactivate the audible device upon expiration of an adjustable period of time for the purpose of saving battery usage, the manually adjustable time comprising a variable capacitor for manually adjusting the adjustable period of time.

8. The remote control locating device of claim 7 wherein the audible signaling device comprises a speaker.

9. A means for locating a remote control device which is capable of controlling an electronic device, the electronic device being stationary and the remote control device being capable of controlling the electronic device from a remote location, said locating means comprising means located within the electronic device for selectively generating signals for transmission over an antenna, means located within the remote control device for receiving the signals, means responsive to the reception of the signals for generating audible signals for a period of time that indicate the signals have been received, and means for manually selecting the period of time the generating means are generating audible signals and upon expiration of the manually selected period of time for deactivating the signaling means.

10. The locating means of claim 9 wherein selectively generating means comprises a variable capacitor for adjusting the frequency of the signals.