Tool tracking apparatus

• US 7,928,845 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2008
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William A. Larosa
• Original Assignee: William A. Larosa
• Inventors: LaRosa, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland; Donnie L
• Application Number:
  US12/126,197
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.2, 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0275 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tag technology used for parent or child unit, e.g. same transmission technology, magnetic tag, RF tag, RFID

Abstract

A tool tracking apparatus constructed by a base monitoring station that has electronic circuitry, an LED display panel and an audible alarm; a power supply including a battery power backup for the base monitoring station; a perimeter loop wire electrically connected to the base monitoring system defining an extended area in which at least one tool is protected or can be located; at least one wireless security tag fixedly attached to the at least one tool for rounding a second audible alarm when the locate button on the base monitoring station is pushed or for triggering the first audible alarm when the at least one wireless security tag approaches the perimeter loop wire at a distance less than a preset distance.

Claims

1. A tool tracking apparatus comprising:

a base monitoring station having electronic circuitry, an LED display panel an audible alarm, and a locate button;

a power supply including a battery power backup for said base monitoring station;

a perimeter loop wire electrically connected to said base monitoring system defining an extended area in which at least one tool is protected or can be located;

at least one wireless security tag each equipped with a second audible alarm fixedly attached to said at least one tool for sounding said second audible alarm when said locate button on said base monitoring station is pushed or for triggering said first audible alarm when said at least one wireless security tag approaches said perimeter loop wire at a distance less than a preset distance.

2. The tool tracking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wireless security tag further comprising a battery for powering the tag.

3. The tool tracking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wireless security tag further comprising a piezoelectric film transducer for generating an audible alarm.

4. The tool tracking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said perimeter loop wire defines an extended area that is at least 20 feet by 20 feet.

5. The tool tracking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said locate button further comprising a plurality of buttons each assigned to a corresponding wireless security tag mounted on a corresponding power hand tool.