Key tracker and method for tracking systems

• US 9,330,541 B1
• Filed: 01/02/2015
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miguel A. Ortiz
• Original Assignee: Miguel A. Ortiz
• Inventors: Ortiz, Miguel A
• Primary Examiner(s): Blouin, Mark
• Application Number:
  US14/588,847
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 340/8.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

An apparatus for locating misplaced keys and other objects designed with a signal transceiver and equipped with a GPS tracking chip. During use, when the user has lost an object, such as a set of keys, or any other object to which the tracking device is attached, the user may transmit signal to the tracking device on a smartphone or tablet belonging to the user via a downloadable mobile application synced for use with the tracking device in order to easily guide the user to the lost object.

Claims

1. A key tracking system for use with a mobile communication device comprising:

at least one key-fob assembly, said at least one key-fob assembly comprising;

a removably-attachable housing having an oblong profile;

a microprocessor;

a signal transmitter;

a signal transceiver;

a tracking chip;

a speaker; and

a power supplier; and

a key-fob tracking application;

wherein said at least one key-fob assembly and said key-fob tracking application comprises in functional combination said key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device;

wherein said microprocessor, said signal transmitter, said signal transceiver, said tracking chip, said speaker, and said power supplier are fixedly encased within removably-attachable housing;

wherein said microprocessor is in wired communication with said signal transmitter, said signal transceiver, said tracking chip, and said speaker;

wherein said tracking chip comprises a unique identifier;

wherein said power supplier provides operating power to said key-fob assembly;

wherein said removably-attachable housing is removably attachable to at least one object to be tracked via an object-attacher;

wherein said key-fob tracking application comprises a mobile application that is installable onto said mobile communication device;

wherein said key-fob tracking application is designed and arranged to track said unique identifier of said tracking chip via said mobile communication device; and

wherein a user is able to selectively actuate said key-fob tracking application on said mobile communication device to transmit a locator-signal to said signal transceiver of said at least one key-fob assembly to receive a precise location of said at least one object to be tracked on said mobile communication device and to trigger said microprocessor to emit an audible alarm from said speaker for ease of discovery of said at least one object to be tracked.

2. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein said audible alarm becomes louder as said user moves into closer proximity to said at least one object to be tracked.

3. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 2 wherein said audible alarm becomes softer as said user moves away from said at least one object to be tracked.

4. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 3 wherein said removably-attachable housing comprises a hanging clip for attaching said removably-attachable housing to a key ring.

5. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 4 wherein said tracking chip comprises a GPS tracking chip.

6. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 5 wherein said unique identifier comprises a distinguishable frequency.

7. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 1 further comprising a housing attacher for removably attaching said housing to said at least one object to be tracked.

8. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 7 wherein said housing attacher comprises an adhesive.

9. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 7 wherein said housing attacher comprises a fastener.

10. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 7 wherein said housing attacher comprises a magnetic coupling.

11. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein said mobile communication device used for tracking said at least one object to be tracked comprises a computer.

12. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein said mobile communication device used for tracking said at least one object to be tracked comprises a tablet.

13. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein said mobile communication device used for tracking said at least one object to be tracked comprises a smartphone.

14. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein said mobile communication device comprises an activation key for designating a particular said at least one key-fob assembly for locating a particular said at least one object to be tracked.

15. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 14 wherein said at least one object to be tracked comprises a wallet.

16. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 14 wherein said at least one object to be tracked comprises a smartphone.

17. The key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device of claim 14 wherein said at least one object to be tracked comprises a set of keys.

18. A key tracking system for use with a mobile communication device comprising:

at least one key-fob assembly, said at least one key-fob assembly comprising;

a removably-attachable housing having an oblong profile, said removably-attachable housing comprising a hanging clip for attaching said removably-attachable housing to a key ring;

a microprocessor;

a signal transmitter;

a signal transceiver;

a tracking chip comprising a GPS tracking chip;

a speaker; and

a power supplier; and

a housing attacher; and

a key-fob tracking application;

wherein said at least one key-fob assembly and said key-fob tracking application comprises in functional combination said key tracking system for use with said mobile communication device;

wherein said microprocessor, said signal transmitter, said signal transceiver, said tracking chip, said speaker, and said power supplier are fixedly encased within removably-attachable housing;

wherein said microprocessor is in wired communication with said signal transmitter, said signal transceiver, said tracking chip, and said speaker;

wherein said tracking chip comprises a unique identifier, said unique identifier comprising a distinguishable frequency;

wherein said power supplier provides operating power to said key-fob assembly;

wherein said removably-attachable housing is removably attachable to at least one object to be tracked via an object-attacher;

wherein said key-fob tracking application comprises a mobile application that is installable onto said mobile communication device;

wherein said key-fob tracking application is designed and arranged to track said unique identifier of said tracking chip via said mobile communication device;

wherein a user is able to selectively actuate said key-fob tracking application on said mobile communication device to transmit a locator-signal to said signal transceiver of said at least one key-fob assembly to receive a precise location of said at least one object to be tracked on said mobile communication device and to trigger said microprocessor to emit an audible alarm from said speaker for ease of discovery of said at least one object to be tracked;

wherein said mobile communication device comprises an activation key for designating a particular said at least one key-fob assembly for locating a particular said at least one object to be tracked;

wherein said audible alarm becomes louder as said user moves into closer proximity to said at least one object to be tracked; and

wherein said audible alarm becomes softer as said user moves away from said at least one object to be tracked.

19. The key tracking system for use with a mobile communication device of claim 18 further comprising a kit including:

said at least one key-fob assembly;

said housing attacher;

said key-fob tracking application installable on said mobile communication device; and

a set of user instructions.

20. A method of using a key tracking system for use with at least one mobile communication device comprising the steps of:

attaching a removably-attachable housing to at least one object to be tracked;

installing a key-fob tracking application onto said at least one mobile communication device;

syncing a unique identifier of at least one key-fob assembly with said key-fob tracking application loaded onto said at least one mobile communication device;

activating an activation icon on said at least one mobile communication device; and

tracking said at least one object to be tracked via a map application of said at least one mobile communication device.