Child alert system

• US 7,084,771 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2005
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Best Buy Health Incorporated (Best Buy Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomas A. Gonzalez
• Inventors: Gonzalez, Thomas A
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US11/187,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20050253727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/539.1, 340/574, 340/693.2, 340/568.2, 342/457, 342/357.06, 701/213
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0236 Threshold setting
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0252 System arrangements wherein the child unit emits, i.e. the child unit incorporates the emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0263 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the direction in which child or item is located
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0266 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact distance between parent and child or surveyor and item
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0272 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0291 Housing and user interface of child unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/088 by monitoring a device worn by the person, e.g. a bracelet attached to the swimmer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

A child alert system that uses radio transmitters and receivers to provide the location of a child, adult or object to which a transmitter unit of the system is attached. The transmitter unit includes a panic button for allowing the wearer of the transmitter unit to send a panic signal when they feel endangered. The system further includes signaling when the transmitter is submerged, when the vital signs of the wearer fall below a certain threshold, or when the transmitter is tampered or removed from the person.

Claims

1. A child alert system comprising:

a receiver unit; and

a transmitter unit;

the transmitter unit including a battery powered transmitter and a transmitter unit receiver installed within a jewelry item to be worn by a user that is activated remotely by an activation radio signal received by the transmitter unit receiver and locally by detecting submersion of the transmitter in water for allowing a transmitter to send out an emergency signal;

the receiver unit including receiver unit software programmed with the transmitting frequency of the transmitter unit and a receiver unit transmitter for transmitting the activation radio signal;

when activated, the transmitter unit transmitting a signal an overhead satellite network which responds by triangulating on the received signal and which then transmits a coordinate signal to the receiver unit to instantly provide an operator of the receiver unit with the location of an individual wearing the transmitter unit.

2. The child alert system from claim 1 that further includes activation of the emergency signal by depressing a panic button twice in rapid sequence.

3. The child alert system from claim 1 wherein the receiver unit is adapted for use in a car or other vehicle to allow tracking the signal hands free while on the road.

4. The child alert system from claim 1 wherein the receiver can be locked into the signal from a specific transmitter to locate the location of the transmitter without the transmitter being activated.

5. The child alert system from claim 1 that is further linked to a T.V. satellite, Amber alter or other notification system that can send out a message to an individual or group of individuals notifying them that a problem exists with the person wearing the transmitter.

6. A child alert system comprising:

a receiver unit; and

a transmitter unit;

the transmitter unit including a battery powered transmitter and a transmitter unit receiver installed within a jewelry item to be worn by a user that is activated remotely by an activation radio signal received by the transmitter unit receiver by detection of tampering or removal of the transmitter by allowing a transmitter to send out an emergency signal;

the receiver unit including receiver unit software programmed with the transmitting frequency of the transmitter unit and a receiver unit transmitter for transmitting the activation radio signal;

when activated, the transmitter unit transmitting a signal an overhead satellite network which responds by triangulating on the received signal and which then transmits a coordinate signal to the receiver unit to instantly provide an operator of the receiver unit with the location of an individual wearing the transmitter unit.

7. The child alert system from claim 6 that further includes activation of the emergency signal by depressing a panic button twice in rapid sequence.

8. The child alert system from claim 6 wherein the receiver unit is adapted for use in a car or other vehicle to allow tracking the signal hands free while on the road.

9. The child alert system from claim 6 wherein the receiver can be locked into the signal from a specific transmitter to locate the location of the transmitter without the transmitter being activated.

10. The child alert system from claim 6 that is further linked to a T.V. satellite, Amber alter or other notification system that can send out a message to an individual or group of individuals notifying them that a problem exists with the person wearing the transmitter.