Separation alert device

• US 9,799,203 B1
• Filed: 11/16/2016
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lester Fritz
• Original Assignee: Lester Fritz
• Inventors: Fritz, Lester
• Primary Examiner(s): Barakat, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US15/352,667
• Time in Patent Office: 342 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1658 related to the mounting of internal components, e.g. disc drive or any other functional module
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3231 Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0236 Threshold setting
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• 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 21/0291 Housing and user interface of child unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A separation alert device for warning a user of separation from an item includes a housing that defines an internal space. The housing is configured for retention on the user'"'"'s person. A power module, a microprocessor, a first proximity sensor and a plurality of alarms are coupled to the housing and are positioned in the internal space. The microprocessor is operationally coupled to the power module. The first proximity sensor and the alarms are operationally coupled to the microprocessor. A second proximity sensor is in wireless communication with the microprocessor. The second proximity sensor is coupled to an item that the user desires to retain proximate to the user. The microprocessor is positioned to receive a location signal from the second proximity sensor. Separation of the first proximity sensor by a preset distance from the second proximity sensor will compel the microprocessor to compel the alarms to notify the user.

Claims

1. A separation alert device comprising:

a housing defining an internal space, said housing being configured for retention on the user'"'"'s person, said housing having a front, said front being open,

a cover complementary to said front of said housing, said cover being configured for reversible coupling to said housing,

a plurality of latches coupled to said cover proximate to a perimeter of said cover, each said latch being positioned to couple to a respective notch positioned in a sidewall of said housing;

a power module coupled to said housing and positioned in said internal space;

a microprocessor coupled to and positioned in said housing, said microprocessor being operationally coupled to said power module;

a first proximity sensor coupled to said housing and positioned in said internal space, said first proximity sensor being operationally coupled to said microprocessor;

a plurality of alarms coupled to said housing and positioned in said internal space, said alarms being operationally coupled to said microprocessor;

a second proximity sensor in wireless communication with said microprocessor, said second proximity sensor being coupled to an item that the user desires to retain proximate to the user;

a coupler coupled to said housing, wherein said coupler is positioned on said housing such that said coupler is configured for coupling to an object, wherein the object is a ring of a keychain, said coupler comprising;

a tab coupled to and extending transversely from said sidewall, and

a penetration positioned through said tab; and

wherein said housing is configured for retention on the user'"'"'s person, wherein said second proximity sensor is configured for coupling to an item that the user desires to retain proximate to the user, such that said microprocessor is positioned to receive a location signal from said second proximity sensor, wherein separation of said first proximity sensor by a preset distance from said second proximity sensor will compel said microprocessor to compel said plurality of alarms to notify the user that said first proximity sensor is no longer within the preset distance to said second proximity sensor.

2. The device of claim 1, further including a slot positioned in said sidewall of said housing adjacent to said front, said slot being configured for insertion of an object, wherein the object is a user'"'"'s fingernail, to decouple said cover from said housing to the second user after the second user logs into the tracking service network.

3. The device of claim 1, further including said housing being pentagonally shaped when viewed from said front.

4. The device of claim 1, further including said power module comprising at least one battery.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

said first proximity sensor comprising a first global positioning system receiver; and

said second proximity sensor comprising a second global positioning system receiver.

6. The device of claim 1, further including said plurality of alarms comprising a vibrator, wherein said microprocessor is positioned to compel said vibrator to vibrate as a warning to the user.

7. The device of claim 1, further including said plurality of alarms comprising a speaker, wherein said microprocessor is positioned to compel said speaker to emit an audible signal as a warning to the user.

8. The device of claim 1, further including a control panel coupled to said housing and positioned in said internal space, said control panel being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, said control panel being configured for selectively activating at least one of said plurality of alarms, said control panel being configured for wirelessly coupling said microprocessor to said second proximity sensor.

9. The device of claim 8, further including said control panel comprising a switch, said switch being configured for selection of separation distances between said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor that will activate said plurality of alarms.

10. The device of claim 1, further including an indicator coupled to said housing, said indicator being operationally coupled to said power module, wherein said indicator is configured to notify the user when said power module is approaching depletion, said indicator comprising a light, said light being visible through a hole positioned in said cover.

11. A separation alert device comprising:

a housing defining an internal space, said housing being configured for retention on the user'"'"'s person, said housing having a front, said front being open, said housing being pentagonally shaped when viewed from said front;

a cover complementary to said front of said housing, said cover being configured for reversible coupling to said housing,

a plurality of latches coupled to said cover proximate to a perimeter of said cover, each said latch being positioned to couple to a respective notch positioned in a sidewall of said housing;

a slot positioned in said sidewall of said housing adjacent to said front, said slot being configured for insertion of an object, wherein the object is a user'"'"'s fingernail, to decouple said cover from said housing;

a power module coupled to said housing and positioned in said internal space, said power module comprising at least one battery;

a microprocessor coupled to said housing and positioned in said internal space, said microprocessor being operationally coupled to said power module;

a first proximity sensor coupled to said housing and positioned in said internal space, said first proximity sensor being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, said first proximity sensor comprising a first global positioning system receiver;

a plurality of alarms coupled to said housing and positioned in said internal space, said alarms being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, said plurality of alarms comprising a vibrator, wherein said microprocessor is positioned to compel said vibrator to vibrate as a warning to the user, said plurality of alarms comprising a speaker, wherein said microprocessor is positioned to compel said speaker to emit an audible signal as a warning to the user;

a second proximity sensor in wireless communication with said microprocessor, said second proximity sensor being coupled to an item that the user desires to retain proximate to the user, said second proximity sensor comprising a second global positioning system receiver; and

a control panel coupled to said housing and positioned in said internal space, said control panel being operationally coupled to said microprocessor, said control panel being configured for selectively activating at least one of said plurality of alarms, said control panel being configured for wirelessly coupling said microprocessor to said second proximity sensor, said control panel comprising a switch, said switch being configured for selection of separation distances between said first proximity sensor and said second proximity sensor that will activate said plurality of alarms;

an indicator coupled to said housing, said indicator being operationally coupled to said power module, wherein said indicator is configured to notify the user when said power module is approaching depletion, said indicator comprising a light, said light being visible through a hole positioned in said cover;

a coupler coupled to said housing, wherein said coupler is positioned on said housing such that said coupler is configured for coupling to an object, wherein the object is a ring of a keychain, said coupler comprising;

a tab coupled to and extending transversely from said sidewall, and a penetration positioned through said tab;

wherein said housing is configured for retention on the user'"'"'s person, wherein said second proximity sensor is configured for coupling to the item that the user desires to retain proximate to the user, such that said microprocessor is positioned to receive the location signal from said second proximity sensor, wherein separation of said first proximity sensor by a preset distance from said second proximity sensor will compel said microprocessor to compel said plurality of alarms to notify the user that said first proximity sensor is no longer within the preset distance to said second proximity sensor.