Child monitoring device adapted for use with an electronic surveillance system

• US 6,195,009 B1
• Filed: 11/15/1999
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hector Irizarry, Philip M. Anderson
• Original Assignee: Hector Irizarry, Philip M. Anderson
• Inventors: Irizarry, Hector, Anderson, Philip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/439,689
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.4, 340/572.3, 340/571, 340/568.1, 340/551
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2422 using acoustic or microwave tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

An apparatus monitors the departure of a child from an exit. The apparatus comprises: an electronic article surveillance system adapted to generate an electromagnetic field at the exit; and a tag worn by the child, the tag being responsive to the electromagnetic field. The tag is caused to alarm upon departure of the child from the exit. Optionally, the tag is provided with an alarm means for alarming the electronic article surveillance system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring the departure of a child from an exit, comprising:

a. an electronic article surveillance system for generating an electromagnetic field at said exit and detecting a preselected disturbance in said electromagnetic field produced by passage of an article surveillance system tag therethrough; and

b. a tag worn by said child, said tag being powered and having an alarm means responsive to said electromagnetic field for generating a signal that reproduces said preselected disturbance;

whereby said tag will alarm and trigger said electronic article system alarm on departure of said child from said exit.

2. A tag for monitoring the departure of a child from an exit having an electronic article surveillance system that generates an electromagnetic field at said exit and detects a preselected disturbance in said electromagnetic field produced by passage of an article surveillance system tag therethrough, comprising:

a. antenna means for receiving the electromagnetic field generated by said electronic article surveillance system;

b. alarm means for sounding an alarm;

c. detecting means for detecting said electromagnetic field, said detecting means causing said alarm means to sound an alarm upon detection of said electromagnetic field;

d. power means, for powering said tag;

e. housing means for encasing said antenna means, said detecting means, said alarm means, and said power means; and

f. attaching means for attaching said housing means to said child;

said tag further comprising;

g. generating means responsive to said electromagnetic field for generating a signal that reproduces said preselected disturbance; and

h. switching means for switching said antenna between said detecting means and said generating means,

whereby upon detection of said electromagnetic field, said detecting means causes said alarm means to sound an alarm and said switching means to connect said antenna to said generating means, causing said electronic article surveillance system to alarm.

3. A tag as recited by claim 2, further comprising resetting means for resetting said alarm.

4. A tag as recited by claim 2, wherein said battery is rechargeable.

5. A tag as recited by claim 2, further comprising:

a. generating means for generating a signal from an electronic article surveillance marker; and

b. transmitting antenna means for transmitting said mimicking signal,

whereby upon detection of said electromagnetic field, said detecting means causes said alarm means to sound an alarm and said generating means to generate said signal to said transmitting antenna means causing said electronic article surveillance system to alarm.

6. A method for detecting the departure of a child from an exit provided with an electronic article surveillance system that generates an electromagnetic field at said exit and detects a preselected disturbance in said electromagnetic field produced by passage of an article surveillance system tag therethrough, comprising the steps of:

a. attaching to said child a tag responsive to the electromagnetic field generated by said electronic article surveillance system at said exit;

b. receiving said electromagnetic field; and

c. sounding an alarm on said tag in response to application of said electromagnetic field and generating a signal that reproduces said preselected disturbance, thereby triggering an alarm on said electronic article surveillance system.