System and apparatus for alerting user of theft or loss, or whereabouts, of objects, people or pets

• US 8,977,228 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2012
• Issued: 03/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nichols, Andrew
• Original Assignee: Nichols, Andrew
• Inventors: Nichols, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisner, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US13/410,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20120225633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455410-4122, 455/414.1
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0225 Monitoring making use of different thresholds, e.g. for different alarm levels
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0277 Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A personal security system for automatically warning a user when an item is lost, or after being so lost is then found, wherein when the first and second transceivers are separated by a distance exceeding the predetermined operating range for a predetermined duration, the first transceiver and second transceiver each generates the predetermined signal (which may include vibration of the first and second transceivers and playing a predetermined alarm sound) for a predetermined duration; and when after being so separated, the first and second transceivers are brought back within a defined distance or operating range, the first transceiver and second transceiver each generates the predetermined signal once again for a predetermined duration. The system may include a single, second transceiver, or multiple second transceivers, each being identical except with respect to their digital signatures and settings such as range, sound, volume and duration of alarms.

Claims

1. A personal security system for automatically warning a user when an item is lost or after being so lost is then found, comprising:

a first transceiver;

at least one second transceiver in communication with the first transceiver;

a communication link connecting the first transceiver and the at least one second transceiver and having a predetermined operating distance;

a first memory operationally connected to the first transceiver and capable of storing a first predetermined signal;

a first microprocessor operationally connected to the first memory;

a first user interface including a display screen operationally connected to the first transceiver;

a first data processor operationally connected to the first transceiver;

a first vibration device operationally connected to the first transceiver;

a first sound device operationally connected to the first transceiver;

at least one second memory operationally connected to the at least one second transceiver and capable of storing at least one second predetermined signal;

at least one second microprocessor operationally connected to the at least one second memory;

at least one second user interface including a display screen operationally connected to the at least one second transceiver;

at least one second data processor operationally connected to the at least one second transceiver;

at least one second vibration device operationally connected to the at least one second transceiver;

at least one second sound device operationally connected to the at least one second transceiver;

wherein when the first transceiver and the at least one second transceiver are separated by a separation distance exceeding the predetermined operating distance for a predetermined duration, the first transceiver generates the first predetermined signal for the predetermined duration, and the at least one second transceiver generates the at least one second predetermined signal for the predetermined duration; and

wherein, after being so separated, when the first transceiver and the at least one second transceiver are brought back within the predetermined operating distance, the first transceiver again generates the first predetermined signal for the predetermined duration, and the at least one second transceiver again generates the at least one second predetermined signal for the predetermined duration.

2. The personal security system of claim 1 wherein the first transceiver and the at least one second transceiver are independently programmable with optional settings.

3. The personal security system of claim 2 wherein the first transceiver is configured to program optional settings for the first transceiver and the at least second transceiver.

4. The personal security system of claim 1, further comprising:

a hand-held computer device capable of functions selected from the group consisting of telephonic, messaging, email, and combinations thereof;

a memory operationally connected to the hand-held computer device and capable of storing a third predetermined signal;

a microprocessor operationally connected to the memory of the hand-held computer device;

a user interface including a display screen operationally connected to the hand-held computer device;

a data processor operationally connected to the hand-held computer device;

a vibration device operationally connected to the hand-held computer device;

a sound device operationally connected to the hand-held computer device;

a communication link connecting the hand-held computer device with the first transceiver and having a predetermined operating distance;

wherein the hand-held computer device is configured to recognize digital signals, make pre-set responses to digital signals, and respond to digital signals to program optional settings and respond in a pre-set way;

wherein the hand-held computer is capable of displaying information in response to digital signals;

wherein the memory of the hand-held computer device is capable of storing a database containing at least one contact information;

wherein the memory of the hand-held computer device is capable of storing optional settings;

wherein the memory of the hand-held computer device is capable of storing at least one message;

wherein the hand-held computer device is configured to automatically send the at least one message to recipients selected by the user of the hand-held computer device in response to digital signals selected from the group consisting of the first transceiver, the at least one second transceiver, and combinations thereof;

wherein upon separation of the at least one second transceiver and the hand-held computer device by a distance exceeding the predetermined operating distance from the first transceiver for the predetermined duration, the first transceiver generates the first predetermined signal for a predetermined duration, the at least one second transceiver generates the at least one second predetermined signal for the predetermined duration, and the hand-held computer device generates the third predetermined signal for the predetermined duration;

wherein, after being so separated, when a device selected from the group consisting of the first transceiver, the at least one second transceiver, and the hand-held computer device is brought back within the predetermined operating distance, the first transceiver again generates the first predetermined signal for the predetermined duration, the at least one second transceiver again generates the at least one second predetermined signal for the predetermined duration, and the hand-held computer device again generates the third predetermined signal for the predetermined duration; and

wherein the hand-held computer is capable of automatically delivering the at least one message upon separation from a member selected from the group consisting of the first transceiver, the at least one second transceiver, and combinations thereof.

5. The personal security system of claim 4 wherein the hand-held computer device is the first transceiver.

6. The personal security system of claim 4, further comprising:

an actuator device operationally connected to the first transceiver;

wherein the hand-held computer device is configured to store emergency messages to send to one or more emergency operators;

wherein depressing the actuator a preset number of times triggers the hand-held computer device to send the emergency messages;

wherein the hand-held computer device is configured to initiate an automated 911 dialing sequence upon receiving digital signals from the first transceiver as a result of a user depressing the actuator device; and

wherein the hand-held computer device is configured to establish telephonic dialing, redialing, and disconnection;

wherein the hand-held computer device is configured to make an automatic connection to 911 services upon receiving a signal from the first transceiver after the user depresses the actuator device;

wherein the hand-held computer device is configured to deliver a preset message to 911 operators after the automatic connection to 911 services upon receiving a signal from the first transceiver after the user depresses the actuator device;

wherein the preset message delivered to the 911 operators is configured to contain specific user information;

wherein the hand-held computer device is configured to display information upon receiving signals upon receiving a signal from the first transceiver after the user depresses the actuator device;

wherein the hand-held computer device is configured to control telephonic features of the hand-held computer device based upon the number of times the actuator device is pressed;

wherein the hand-held computer device is configured to emit an alarm sound based upon depressing the actuator device in a preset manner;

wherein the hand-held computer device is configured to cancel based upon the number of times the actuator device depressed; and

wherein the preset message delivered to 911 operators global positioning system (GPS) coordinates.

7. The personal security system of claim 6, further comprising:

a computer based in a fixed location;

wherein the computer has telephone, messaging, and email capabilities;

a communication link having a predetermined operating distance capable of connecting the computer with first transceiver, the at least one second transceiver, and the hand-held computer device;

a memory operationally connected to the computer capable of storing predetermined signals;

a microprocessor operationally connected to the memory operationally connected to the computer;

a user interface including a display screen operationally connected to the computer;

a data processor operationally connected to the computer;

a sound device operationally connected to the computer; and

wherein the computer and the hand-held computer device automatically negotiate priority to dial 911 and send an emergency message when the user depresses the actuator;

wherein the computer and the hand-held computer device are configured to perform the same functions, but the hand-held computer device gains priority when the first transceiver is taken outside of the fixed location; and

wherein the computer and the hand-held computer device are configured to perform the same functions, but the hand-held computer device gains priority when the at least one second transceiver is taken outside of the fixed location.

8. The personal security system of claim 7 wherein the first transceiver, the at least one second transceiver, the hand-held computer device, and the computer contain a complementary radio communication circuit for transmitting and receiving digital signals and communicating information.

9. The personal security system of claim 8 wherein the complementary radio communication circuit comprises BLUETOOTH transceivers.

10. The personal security system of claim 9, further comprising:

a menu system navigable by the user.