Alarm for a card shaped object

• US 5,642,095 A
• Filed: 10/18/1995
• Issued: 06/24/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Russell P. Cook
• Original Assignee: Wellesley Research Associates, Inc.
• Inventors: Cook, Russel P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/544,484
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568, 340/573, 340/539, 340/572, 340/871, 150/102, 150/134
• US Class Current: 340/568.7
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/184 with a reminding device, e.g. when the card is not returned into its holder reminder alarms in general G08B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

An alarm system is provided for a card shaped object comprising a holder for the card shaped object and a detecting apparatus for detecting the absence of the card shaped object from the holder and a device transmitter. The transmitter device sends a signal to a component remote from the holder and a transmitter device. The transmitter device sends a signal to a component remote from the holder which contains a receiver of the signal and an adjustable alarm. A resettable timer is positioned either in the holder or in the component remote from the holder so that, after a set time period, is activated in response to the signal.

Claims

1. A two component alarm system to identify removal of a card from a holder for the card which comprises:

a) a first component comprising a holder having a housing for a card, means for sensing removal of said card from said housing, a voltage source and a transmitter for transmitting a first signal to a remote location connected in a first electrical circuit,

and b) a second component at said remote location comprising a receiver of said first signal transmitted by said transmitter, a voltage source, and an alarm being connected in a second electrical circuit separate from said first electrical circuit, said alarm being activated after said card is removed from said housing and in response to said first signal and said alarm emitting a second discernable signal.

3. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said first circuit includes a timer.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said second circuit includes a timer.

5. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said first circuit and said second circuit each include a timer.

6. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said alarm system is activated when an electrical circuit is completed by removal of a card from said housing.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said first circuit includes a timer.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said second circuit includes a timer.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said alarm system is activated when an electrical circuit is opened by removal of a card.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said first circuit includes a timer.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said second circuit includes a timer.

12. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said card is electrically nonconductive.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said first circuit includes a timer.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein said second circuit includes a timer.

15. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said card is electrically conductive.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said first circuit includes a timer.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein said second circuit includes a timer.

18. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said card includes a magnetic strip which causes an electrical circuit to activate.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said first circuit includes a timer.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein said second circuit includes a timer.

21. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said second component is positioned within a watch housing.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said first circuit includes a timer.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein said second circuit includes a timer.

24. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said second component is positioned on a ring sized to fit within a clothing pocket.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein said first circuit includes a timer.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein said second circuit includes a timer.

27. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said second component is positioned within a vehicle.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein said first circuit includes a timer.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein said second circuit includes a timer.

30. The system of any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said second component is positioned within a building.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein said first circuit includes a timer.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein said second circuit includes a timer.

2. An alarm system to identify removal of a card from a holder for the card which comprises:

a) a first component comprising a holder having a plurality of card housings, means for sensing removal of said card from said housing, a voltage source and a transmitter for transmitting a first signal to a remote location connected in a first electrical circuit, each of said to a remote location connected in a first electrical circuit, each of said housings sized to accommodate a card,

and b) a second component at said remote location comprising a receiver of a first signal transmitted by said transmitter, a voltage source, and an alarm connected in second electrical circuit separate from said first electrical circuit, said alarm being activated after a card is removed from at least one of said housings and in response to said first signal and said alarm emitting a second discernable signal.