Locator apparatus and method using that apparatus

• US 7,786,859 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David E. Fousse
• Original Assignee: David E. Fousse
• Inventors: Fousse, David E., Froid, Roy
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Toan N
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US11/669,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20070225825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.3, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.14, 340/539.15, 340/568.1, 340/568.5, 340/568.6, 340/571, 340/572.1, 340/5.92, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/10.33, 340/10.34
• US Class Current: 340/539.3
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25289 Energy saving, brown out, standby, sleep, powerdown modus for microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2402 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting mechanical aspects of the tags, e.g. related to locking E05B73/0017; RFID readers G06K7/00; RFID tags G06K19/00; access control systems G07C9/00; anti-theft control in point of sale systems G07G3/003; security seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

An apparatus to locate an article is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a host device comprising a transmitter, and a client device attached to the article. The client device comprises a client controller, a receiver interconnected with the client controller, a battery interconnected with both the client controller and the receiver. The controller and the receiver alternate between an inactive mode and an active mode.

Claims

1. An apparatus to locate an article, comprising:

a host device comprising a transmitter;

a client device attached to said article, said client device comprising a client controller, a receiver interconnected with said client controller, a battery interconnected with both said client controller and said receiver,

wherein said client controller and said receiver continuously alternate between an inactive mode for J seconds and an active mode for L seconds, wherein J is greater than or equal to L, wherein said client controller draws power at 1.6 microamps from said battery when in said inactive mode, and wherein said receiver draws power at 100 nano amps from said battery when in said inactive mode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein L and J are each 5.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein J is equal to two times L.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein J is 10 and wherein L is 5.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first alert device capable of producing an audible tone, said first alert device being interconnected with said client controller;

a second alert device capable of emitting light in the visible spectrum, said second alert device being interconnected with said client controller.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first alert device comprises a piezoelectric element.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first alert device comprises an electromagnet.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first alert device comprises two light emitting diodes.

9. A method to locate an article, comprising the steps of:

supplying a client locator device comprising a client controller, a receiver interconnected with said client controller, an alert device interconnected with said client controller, and a battery comprising a voltage and interconnected with both said client controller and said receiver;

attaching an article to said client locator device;

continuously alternating said client controller between an inactive mode for J seconds and an active mode for L seconds, wherein J is greater than or equal to L, wherein said client controller draws 1.6 microamps of power from said battery when in said inactive mode, and wherein said receiver draws 100 nano amps from said battery when in said inactive mode;

determining by said client controller when said client controller is in said active mode if an receiver detects a wireless signal comprising said identifier;

operative if said receiver detects a wireless signal comprising said identifier, providing power to said alert device;

operative if said receiver does not detect a wireless signal comprising said identifier, discontinuing the supply of power to said receiver and to said client controller.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein

said providing power step further comprises supplying power to said receiver for L seconds;

said discontinuing the supply of power step further comprises not supplying power to said receiver for J seconds; and

.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein J equals 5 and L equals 5.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein J equals two times L.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein J equals 10 and L equals 5.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said supplying a client locator device step further comprises supplying a client locator device wherein said alert device comprises a light emitting diode assembly interconnected with said client controller.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said supplying a client locator device comprising a light emitting diode assembly step further comprises supplying a client locator device comprising a light emitting diode assembly comprising a first light emitting diode capable of emitting a first color, and a second light emitting device capable of emitting a second color, wherein said first color differs from said second color.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein said supplying a client locator device step further comprises supplying a client locator device comprising a second alert device interconnected with said client controller.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein said client locator device further comprises a battery test interval counter, and wherein said battery comprises said voltage, further comprising the steps of:

establishing a battery test interval (N);

determining if said battery test interval counter equals (N);

operative if said battery test interval counter equals (N), determining if the battery voltage is greater than or equal to 2 volts;

operative if the battery voltage is not greater than or equal to 2 volts, activating said alert device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of if said battery test interval counter equals (N), setting said battery test interval counter to 0.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of if said battery test interval counter does not equal (N), incrementing said battery test interval counter by unity.

20. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

supplying a host device comprising a host controller and a transmitter;

determining by said host controller said identifier;

transmitting a wireless signal comprising said client identifier.