Child locator system

• US 9,472,081 B1
• Filed: 05/05/2015
• Issued: 10/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward Pridgen
• Original Assignee: Edward Pridgen
• Inventors: Pridgen, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Flores, Leon
• Application Number:
  US14/704,308
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0202 Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
• 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 21/0277 Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM

Abstract

The child locator system comprises a display unit and a tracking unit. The tracking unit is a GPS locator that is attached to the child'"'"'s clothing using a magnetic lock similar to those used to protect clothing in retail stores. The display unit is also fitted with a GPS locator. The tracking unit wirelessly communicates its position to the display unit. The display unit monitors the position of the tracking unit relative to the position of the display unit. Should the display unit lose contact with the tracking unit or should the tracking unit move more than a predetermined distance away from the display unit an alarm is sounded. The display unit is integrated with mapping software that can display the current (or last known) positions of both the display unit and the tracking unit on demand.

Claims

1. A locator system comprising:

a display unit and a tracking unit;

wherein the locator system is adapted for use with a child;

wherein the tracking unit is adapted to be attached to the child'"'"'s clothing;

wherein the display unit is adapted to be carried by a parent;

wherein the tracking unit tracks the position of the tracking unit;

wherein the tracking unit transmits the position of the tracking unit to the display unit;

wherein the display unit tracks the distance between the display unit and the tracking unit;

wherein when the distance between the display unit and the tracking unit is greater than a predetermined allowable distance the display unit sounds an alarm;

wherein the display unit further comprises a first GPS system;

wherein the first GPS system tracks the location of the display unit;

wherein the display unit further comprises a first wireless system;

wherein the first wireless system receives position information from the tracking unit;

wherein the display unit further comprises a mapping system;

wherein the tracking unit further comprises a second GPS system;

wherein the second GPS system tracks the location of the tracking unit;

wherein the tracking unit further comprises a second wireless system;

wherein the second wireless system transmits the position of the tracking unit to the display unit;

wherein the tracking unit further comprises a microcontroller;

wherein the microcontroller is programmed to download the position information received by the second GPS system, prepare the position information for transmittal to the display unit and initiate the second wireless system to transmit the position information to the display unit;

wherein the tracking unit further comprises a housing and a battery pack;

wherein the housing contains the second GPS system, the second wireless system, the microcontroller, and the battery pack;

wherein a quick response bar code is placed on the outside of the housing;

wherein the quick response bar code provides information for use by emergency personnel;

wherein the information is encoded directly into the quick response bar code;

wherein the tracking unit further comprises a magnetic lock;

wherein the magnetic lock is a tamper resistant device that is configured to be used to connect the housing to a child'"'"'s clothing;

wherein the quick response bar code is encoded to redirect emergency personnel to a website;

wherein the display unit is also provided with a software function that allows the parent to call up the or last known position of both the display unit and the tracking unit on the mapping system.

2. The locator system according to claim 1 wherein the display unit is a commercially available tablet or smart phone.

3. The locator system according to claim 1 wherein

a second speaker is installed in the tracking unit;

wherein the display unit is programmed to send a signal to the tracking unit which instructs the microcontroller to send an audible signal to the second speaker.

4. The locator system according to claim 1 wherein

a panic button is installed on the housing;

wherein when the panic button is pushed the microcontroller sends a wireless alarm signal to the display unit.