Electronic tracing system

• US 6,166,642 A
• Filed: 01/11/2000
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NorthStar Systems LLC (Alpha Alpha Intellectual Partners LLC)
• Original Assignee: Koopal Farshid
• Inventors: Farshid, Koopal
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/481,658
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/539, 340/574, 116/214, 455/421, 455/420, 455/88, 455/410, 455/411, 455/69, 455/229
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0216 Alarm cancellation after generation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/40 using smoke, fire or coloured gases

Abstract

An electronic tracing system 10 is provided for sensing when a child moves more than a predetermined distance from a guardian. The system comprises a first module 20 for attaching to the child and a second module 30 which is carried by the guardian. The first module is adapted alternately to broadcast location signals and change to a receiving mode between the broadcasts. The second module is adapted to detect the location signals and includes means 200 for processing the location signals to determine whether the distance apart of the modules exceeds the predetermined distance. If the predetermined distance is exceeded then a buzzer 140 is activated and an LED 150 flashes to inform the guardian of this. The guardian can then press a push button switch 160 on the second module to transmit an alarm signal to the first module so as to cause a connected smoke canister 105 to emit smoke.

Claims

1. An electronic tracing system for sensing when a movable subject moves more than a predetermined distance from a base location, said system comprising:

a first module,

said first module including attaching means for attaching said first module to said movable subject, first processing means, first transmitting means and receiving means, said first processing means adapting said first module to alternately broadcast location signals from said first transmitting means and change to a receiving mode between said broadcasts; and

a second module for disposing at said base location, said first and second modules being a distance apart,

said second module including detecting means, second processing means, an alarm device, second transmitting means, a timer and cancelling means, wherein said detecting means being adapted to detect said location signals, said second processing means processing said location signals to determine whether said distance apart of said modules exceeds said predetermined distance, said second processing means activating said alarm device when said second processing means determines that said distance apart of said modules exceeds said predetermined distance and said timer is activated to measure said time, and said second transmitting means being operable to transmit an alarm signal to said first module upon activation of said alarm device said second transmitting means transmitting said alarm signal after a specified period of said time has elapsed unless said cancelling means is activated before then, said receiving means being adapted to receive said alarm signal.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second module includes activation means operable to activate said second transmitting means to transmit said alarm signal.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said activation means is operable to activate said second transmitting means upon activation of said alarm device.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first module includes a visual signal emitter for emitting a visual signal upon receipt of said alarm signal.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said visual signal emitter is a smoke canister.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first module includes a sound emitter for emitting a sound upon receipt of said alarm signal.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said subject is a person.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said subject is a child.

9. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first module includes a visual signal emitter and second activation means for said subject to activate so that said visual signal emitter emits a visual signal.

10. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first module includes a sound emitter and second activation means for said subject to activate so that said sound emitter emits a sound.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said subject is an electronic device, which said first module is adapted to disable upon receipt of said alarm signal.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said subject is a mobile phone.

13. An electronic tracing system for sensing when a movable subject moves more than a predetermined distance from a base location, said system comprising:

a first module,

said first module including a strap for attaching said first module to said movable subject, a first processor, a first transmitter, a first amplifier, a first zero detector, a first receiver, said first receiver being connected to said first processor via said first amplifier and said first zero detector, a relay and a smoke canister connected to said first processor via said relay, said first processor adapting said first module to alternately broadcast location signals from said first transmitter and change to a receiving mode between said broadcasts; and

a second module for disposing at said base location, said first and second modules being a distance apart,

said second module including a second processor, a second receiver, a second amplifier, a junction, a second zero detector, a low pass filter, a comparator, a resistor storing a value representing said predetermined distance, an alarm buzzer, a light emitting diode, a switch and a second transmitter, wherein said second receiver being adapted to detect said location signals, said second receiver being connected to said second processor via said second amplifier, said junction and said second zero detector, said junction being additionally connected to said second processor via said low pass filter and said comparator, said comparator being connected to said resistor, said location signals having a level at said comparator, said comparator being adapted to compare said level of said location signals with said predetermined distance value stored in said resistor, said second processor determining from said comparator whether said distance apart of said modules exceeds said predetermined distance, whereupon said second processor activates said alarm buzzer and said light emitting diode and said second transmitting means being operable to transmit an alarm signal to said first receiver upon operation of said switch after activation of said alarm buzzer and said light emitting diode, whereupon said first processor activates said smoke canister to emit smoke after said first receiver receives said alarm signal.

14. An electronic tracing system for sensing when a movable subject moves more than a predetermined distance from a base location, said system comprising:

a first module,

said first module including attaching means for attaching said first module to said movable subject, a first processor, a first transmitter, a first receiver, said first receiver being connected to said first processor, and a smoke canister connected to said first processor, said first processor adapting said first module to alternately broadcast location signals from said first transmitter and change to a receiving mode between said broadcasts; and

a second module for disposing at said base location, said first and second modules being a distance apart,

said second module including a second processor, a second receiver, a comparator, a resistor storing a value representing said predetermined distance, an alarm device, a switch and a second transmitter, wherein said second receiver being adapted to detect said location signals, said second receiver being connected to said second processor, said comparator being connected to said resistor, said location signals having a level at said comparator, said comparator being adapted to compare said level of said location signals with said predetermined distance value stored in said resistor, said second processor determining from said comparator whether said distance apart of said modules exceeds said predetermined distance, whereupon said second processor activates said alarm device and said second transmitting means being operable to transmit an alarm signal to said first receiver upon operation of said switch after activation of said alarm means whereupon said first processor activates said smoke canister to emit smoke after said first receiver receives said alarm signal.