Intra-oral tracking device

• US 5,760,692 A
• Filed: 10/18/1996
• Issued: 06/02/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas A. Block
• Original Assignee: Douglas A. Block
• Inventors: Block, Douglas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/730,906
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/572, 340/539, 340/505, 340/825.54, 340/825.49, 340/825.19, 340/693, 455/100, 455/351, 455/575
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

An intra-oral tracking device adapted for use in association with a tooth having a buccal surface and a lingual surface, the apparatus comprises a tooth mounting member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface including adhesive material; a remote transmitter-receiver assembly including means to transmit and receive electronic signals, the transmitter-receiver being affixed to the outer surface of the tooth mounting member, the remote transmitter-receiver assembly positioned adjacent to the buccal surface of the tooth; and a base transmitter-receiver device including means to transmit and receive electronic signals, the device including a transmission button and a display screen, in an operative orientation a user depressing the transmission button of the base transmitter-receiver device to activate the remote transmitter-receiver, activation of the remote transmitter-receiver device causing the transmission of electrical signals for receipt by the base transmitter-receiver device, the base transmitter-receiver device thereby displaying the location of the remote transmitter-receiver assembly to enable a user to locate a lost individual.

Claims

1. A intra-oral tracking device adapted for use in association with a tooth having a buccal surface and a lingual surface, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

an orthodontic band fabricated of non-precious crown and bridge alloy, the orthodontic band being formed in a ring shaped configuration with an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface including adhesive material;

a remote transmitter-receiver assembly including an outer casing, a transmitter-receiver unit and a power source, the outer casing being formed in a hollow generally rectangular configuration, the transmitter-receiver unit and power source being operatively coupled to each other and positioned within the outer casing, the transmitter-receiver unit including means to transmit and receive electronic signals, the outer casing being affixed to the outer surface of the orthodontic band, in an operative orientation the orthodontic band being coupled around a tooth with the remote transmitter-receiver assembly positioned adjacent to the buccal surface of the tooth; and

a base transmitter-receiver device formed in a generally rectangular configuration and including means to transmit and receive electronic signals, the device including a power source, a transmission button, a liquid crystal display screen, a speaker and an on/off power switch, in an operative orientation a user depressing the transmission button of the base transmitter-receiver device to activate the remote transmitter-receiver assembly, activation of the remote transmitter-receiver device causing the transmission of electrical signals for receipt by the base transmitter-receiver device, the base transmitter-receiver device thereby displaying the location of the remote transmitter-receiver assembly to enable an adult user to locate a lost individual.

2. An intra-oral tracking device adapted for use in association with a tooth having a buccal surface and a lingual surface, the apparatus comprising:

a tooth mounting member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface including adhesive material;

a remote transmitter-receiver assembly including means to transmit and receive electronic signals, the transmitter-receiver being affixed to the outer surface of the tooth mounting member, in an operative orientation the tooth mounting member being coupled to a tooth with the remote transmitter-receiver assembly positioned adjacent to the buccal surface of the tooth; and

a base transmitter-receiver device including means to transmit and receive electronic signals, the device including a transmission button and a display screen, in an operative orientation a user depressing the transmission button of the base transmitter-receiver device to activate the remote transmitter-receiver, activation of the remote transmitter-receiver device causing the transmission of electrical signals for receipt by the base transmitter-receiver device, the base transmitter-receiver device thereby displaying the location of the remote transmitter-receiver assembly to enable a user to locate a lost individual.

3. The intra-oral tracking device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the tooth mounting member is an orthodontic band, the orthodontic band being formed in a ring shaped configuration and coupled around a tooth in an operative orientation.

4. The intra-oral tracking device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the orthodontic band is fabricated of non-precious crown and bridge alloy.

5. The intra-oral tracking device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the orthodontic band is coupled around a deciduous tooth.

6. The intra-oral tracking device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the tooth mounting member is a metal wing, the metal wing being acid etched to the buccal surface of a tooth.

7. A intra-oral tracking device adapted for use in association with a tooth having a buccal surface and a lingual surface, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

a metal wing fabricated of non-precious crown and bridge alloy, the metal wing having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface including microetchings and resin cement to permit adherence to the buccal surface of a tooth;

a remote transmitter-receiver assembly including an outer casing, a transmitter-receiver unit and a power source, the outer casing being formed in a hollow generally rectangular configuration, the transmitter-receiver unit and power source being operatively coupled to each other and positioned within the outer casing, the transmitter-receiver unit including means to transmit and receive electronic signals, the outer casing being affixed to the outer surface of the metal wing, in an operative orientation the metal wing being coupled to a tooth with the remote transmitter-receiver assembly positioned adjacent to the buccal surface of the tooth; and

a base transmitter-receiver device formed in a generally rectangular configuration and including means to transmit and receive electronic signals, the device including a power source, a transmission button, a liquid crystal display screen, a speaker and an on/off power switch, in an operative orientation a user depressing the transmission button of the base transmitter-receiver device to activate the remote transmitter-receiver assembly, activation of the remote transmitter-receiver device causing the transmission of electrical signals for receipt by the base transmitter-receiver device, the base transmitter-receiver device thereby displaying the location of the remote transmitter-receiver assembly to enable a user to locate a lost individual.