Monitoring device to prevent separation

• US 6,542,080 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Phillip R. Page
• Original Assignee: Phillip R. Page
• Inventors: Page, Phillip R.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/871,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20020126012A1
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/815.56, 340/311.1, 340/982, 340/539, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/573.3, 340/7.22, 379/68, 455/134
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0216 Alarm cancellation after generation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

A monitoring device to prevent separation including a transmitter portion adapted for coupling with a person or object to be monitored. A receiver portion is provided that is adapted for being worn on a person. The receiver portion is in communication with the transmitter portion. The receiver portion has a predetermined separation parameter measured between the receiver portion and the transmitter portion. The receiver portion includes the ability to determine the distance between the receiver portion and the transmitter portion. The receiver portion includes an alarm for sounding once the predetermined separation parameter has been exceeded. The transmitter portion also includes an alarm for startling a would-be wrongdoer and alerting others near the object of person being monitored.

Claims

1. A monitoring device to prevent separation, for sounding an alarm once a predetermined distance has been reached between two people or objects comprising, in combination:

a transmitter portion adapted for coupling with a person or object to be monitored;

a receiver portion adapted for being worn on a person, the receiver portion being in communication with the transmitter portion, the receiver portion having a predetermined separation parameter measured between the receiver portion and the transmitter portion, the receiver portion including means for determining the distance between the receiver portion and the transmitter portion, the receiver portion including an alarm for sounding once the predetermined separation parameter has been exceeded, the transmitter portion also including an annunciator for sounding once the predetermined separation parameter has been exceeded, the receiver portion including a reset button for reseting the alarm sounding at said receiver.

2. The monitoring device as recited in claim 1, wherein the receiver has a return signal generator which provides a signal in response to the predetermined separation parameter being exceeded, wherein the transmitter has a return signal receptor which activates the annunciator at the transmitter in response to said signal, and wherein the receiver has a cancel switch for causing the annunciator at the transmitter to stop sounding.

3. The monitoring device as recited in claim 2, wherein the transmitter includes a transmitter housing having a transmitter housing rear, a closed loop is located at the transmitter housing rear, and wherein the transmitter further includes a belt for extending through the closed loop, and extending around the person to be protected.

4. The monitoring device as recited in claim 3, wherein the belt has belt holes, and wherein the belt has a double buckle, comprised of two discrete buckles which are each capable of engaging the belt holes.

5. A monitoring device to prevent separation, for sounding an alarm once a predetermined distance has been reached between two people, comprising in combination:

a transmitter portion adapted for coupling with a person or object to be monitored, the transmitter portion including a transmitter housing having a transmitter housing rear, a closed loop is located at the transmitter housing rear, and wherein the transmitter further includes a belt for extending through the closed loop, and extending around the person to be protected; and

a receiver portion adapted for being worn on a person, the receiver portion being in communication with the transmitter portion, the receiver portion having a predetermined separation parameter measured between the receiver portion and the transmitter portion, the receiver portion including means for determining the distance between the receiver portion and the transmitter portion, the receiver portion including an alarm for sounding once the predetermined separation parameter has been exceeded, the transmitter portion also including an annunciator for sounding once the predetermined separation parameter has been exceeded, the receiver portion including a reset button for reseting the alarm sounding at said receiver.

6. The monitoring device as recited in claim 5, wherein the belt has belt holes, and wherein the belt has a double buckle, comprised of two discrete buckles which are each capable of engaging the belt holes.

7. The monitoring device as recited in claim 6, wherein the receiver has a return signal generator which provides a signal in response to the predetermined separation parameter being exceeded, wherein the transmitter has a return signal receptor which activates the annunciator at the transmitter in response to said signal, and wherein the receiver has a cancel switch for causing the annunciator at the transmitter to stop sounding.